(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 15)—The McKendree University volleyball team produced one of its most emotional victories of the 2009 season with a three-set sweep of Missouri Baptist University Thursday at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. The Bearcats won by scores of 26-24, 25-13 and 25-12.
Playing host to its second annual “Dig Pink” Night -- in which the Bearcats helped to raise money for breast cancer research -- McKendree rallied to score the final five points of the first set, then rolled to decisive wins in the final two sets to register the American Midwest Conference victory against the Spartans. The Bearcats have won their last three matches to move to 13-10 overall and 8-3 in AMC play. McKendree has also won its last five conference contests.
Junior middle hitter Ashley Perry (Sparta, Ill./Sparta) (Sparta, Ill./Sparta) led the way for McKendree with 10 kills and four blocks. Junior outside hitter Tara Ryterski (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) and sophomore right-side hitter Kaitlyn Kollmann (Collinsville, IL/Metro East Lutheran) (Collinsville, Ill./Metro-East Lutheran) each chipped in with nine attacks. Sophomore setter Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) (Collinsville, Ill./Triad) handed out 20 assists as junior setter Alyssa Speckhals (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) notched 16 sets.
Senior libero Lauren Sarver (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) had a team-best 16 digs while junior defensive specialist Lindsay Gray (Lebanon, Ill./Lebanon) and sophomore hitter Melinda Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) (Collinsville, Ill./Triad) were next with 11 assists apiece.
In the first set, McKendree trailed 24-21 and faced set point before catching fire. The Bearcats ripped off the final five points of the set, which was capped by a service ace from Paisley to close out the 26-24 victory. That served as a springboard for a quick start in the second set as the Bearcats raced to a 14-4 lead. McKendree eventually cruised to a 25-13 win, then continued its torrid play by grabbing an 18-8 advantage in the final set.
Jessica Bowman led Missouri Baptist (13-16, 7-5 AMC) with 10 kills, while Heather Rynd handed out a match-high 25 assists for the Spartans. McKendree's victory on Thursday helped to avenge a loss to Missouri Baptist back on Sept. 29.
McKENDREE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL RESULT
THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 2009 AT LEBANON, ILL.
Team 1 2 3
McKendree 26 25 25
Missouri Baptist 24 13 12
McKendree is now 13-10 overall and 8-3 in the American Midwest Conference.
-McK-
