(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 21)—The McKendree University volleyball squad saw its five-match win streak come to an end at the hands of Columbia College on Monday in American Midwest Conference action. The Cougars, ranked No. 4 in the latest NAIA poll, swept the best-of-five match by scores of 25-17, 25-13 and 25-17.
McKendree slips to 7-5 overall and 3-1 in AMC play, while Columbia remains perfect on the season at 13-0 overall and 5-0 in the AMC.
Senior outside hitter Andrea Lucas (Festus, Mo./Festus) (Festus, Mo./Festus) led the Bearcats with five kills, while sophomore right-side hitter Kaitlyn Kollmann (Collinsville, IL/Metro East Lutheran) (Collinsville, Ill./Metro-East Lutheran) chipped in with four kills. Junior setter Alyssa Speckhals (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) had nine assists as sophomore setter Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) (Collinsville, Ill./Triad) notched seven sets. Senior defensive specialist Kristina Paisley (Waterloo, Ill./Gibault) (Waterloo, Ill./Gibault) handled a team-best 14 digs.
In the first set, Columbia edged out to a 15-11 lead before three consecutive points from McKendree, including two service winners from junior defensive specialist Lindsay Gray (Lebanon, Ill./Lebanon) pulled the Bearcats within 15-14. The Cougars regrouped and scored eight of the next nine points to pull away for the win.
The second set played out in similar fashion as Columbia raced out to a 14-8 lead, only to see McKendree reeled off four straight points to rally within 14-12. The Cougars answered by scoring 11 of the final 12 points to go up two sets to none. McKendree came to life in the final set, pulling even on three different occasions, the last coming at 16-16. Columbia once again took control late with an 8-0 run to seal the match victory.
Cate Eckhardt paced Columbia with 12 kills, while Monica Santos added 10 attacks. Eckhardt also led the Cougars with six blocks. Paula Ferreira posted 36 assists, as Santos and Julie Teeple each collected a team-best nine digs.
McKENDREE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL RESULT
MONDAY, SEPT. 21, 2009 AT LEBANON, Ill.
Team 1 2 3
Columbia 25 25 25
McKendree 17 13 17
McKendree is now 7-5 overall and 3-1 in the American Midwest Conference.
-McK-
