(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 13)—The McKendree University volleyball team saw its 12-match win streak come to an end Wednesday as the Bearcats were swept in an American Midwest Conference home match by Columbia College. The Cougars, who are ranked No. 7 in the latest NAIA poll, won by scores of 25-17, 25-14 and 25-17.
McKendree slips to 18-6 overall and 5-2 in the AMC with the loss. The Bearcats will look to start a new win streak Saturday as they bounce back into AMC action at William Woods University. First serve is set for 1 p.m. in Fulton, Mo.
Senior outside hitter Tara Ryterski (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) and junior right-side hitter Nadia Moore (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) each had five kills to lead McKendree. Senior setter Alyssa Speckhals (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) posted a team-best 10 assists, while senior libero Lindsey Gray (Lebanon, Ill./Lebanon) (Lebanon, Ill./Lebanon) handled 10 digs for the Bearcats.
In the first set, Columbia edged out to an 11-8 lead before McKendree came to life. The Bearcats scored eight of the next 10 points to grab a 16-13 lead. The Cougars regrouped and reeled off the next eight points as part of a 12-1 run to end the first set with a 25-17 victory. Columbia carried the momentum into the second set by scoring 10 of the first 11 points. McKendree battled back and pulled to within 14-8 before the Cougars pulled away to win by a 25-14 count.
Columbia controlled the tempo for much of the third and final set, pulling away again in the later stages to take the third set and the match.
Vesna Trivunovic led all players with 13 kills for Columbia. Paula Ferreira registered a match-high 22 assists for the Cougars, who are now 23-2 overall and 9-0 in the AMC.
McKENDREE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL RESULT
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 13 AT LEBANON, ILL.
Team 1 2 3
Columbia 25 25 25
McKENDREE 17 14 17
McKendree is now 18-6 overall and 5-2 in the American Midwest Conference
