(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 25)—The McKendree University volleyball team nearly dug out from a two-set deficit Friday night at home against William Woods University, but the rally came up short as the host Bearcats lost in four sets to the Owls. William Woods won by scores of 25-15, 25-15, 21-25 and 27-25.
The Bearcats have dropped two consecutive American Midwest Conference home matches to slip to 7-6 overall and 3-2 in the AMC. William Woods improves to 11-5 on the year and 3-2 in conference play.
Junior middle hitter Carrie Brickey (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) led McKendree with 12 kills and five blocks, while junior outside hitter Tara Ryterski (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) also reached double digits in kills with 10. Junior setter Alyssa Speckhals (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) handed out a team-best 20 assists as sophomore setter Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) (Collinsville, Ill./Triad) was right behind with 17 sets.
Senior libero Lauren Sarver (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) notched 20 digs, while Speckhals collected 19 digs and senior defensive specialist Kristina Paisley (Waterloo, Ill./Gibault) (Waterloo, Ill./Gibault) added 17.
William Woods won the first two sets by double digits, and appeared on its way to a sweep, building a 20-18 lead in the third set. McKendree responded by scoring the next five points to grab a 23-20 lead. The Owls edged back to within two points before consecutive kills by junior middle hitter Ashley Perry (Sparta, Ill./Sparta) (Sparta, Ill./Sparta) and Brickey closed out the win for the Bearcats.
McKendree found itself trailing 21-16 late in the fourth set before scoring eight of the next 10 points to grab a 24-23 lead. William Woods quickly tied the set and won a lengthy volley on match point to close out the contest.
Lacey Olin had a match-high 21 kills to lead William Woods. Cali Simmons added 12 attacks and a team-best 24 digs for William Woods, while Molly Dougherty handed out 26 assists.
McKENDREE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL RESULT
FRIDAY, SEPT. 25, 2009 AT LEBANON, Ill.
Team 1 2 3 4
William Woods 25 25 21 27
McKendree 15 15 25 25
McKendree is now 7-6 overall and 3-2 in the American Midwest Conference.
-McK-
