(BALDWIN CITY, Kan., Sept. 11)—The McKendree University volleyball team took one of two matches on the final day of play at the Baker University Invitational Saturday in Baldwin City, Kan. The Bearcats opened the day with a three-set sweep of Avila University before being swept in their final match of the tournament against Benedictine College.
McKendree will take a 6-4 overall record into its first American Midwest Conference contest of the season Wednesday at Columbia College. The Bearcats will square off with the No. 8-ranked Cougars in a match beginning at 7 p.m.
In Saturday's first match of the day, McKendree bounced back from a pair of tough losses on Friday by sweeping past Avila University. The Bearcats edged the Eagles 26-24 in the first set before rolling to victories in the final two sets, 25-11 and 25-15.
Senior outside hitter Tara Ryterski (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) grabbed team-high honors in kills with nine, while senior middle hitter Carrie Brickey (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) added eight kills and a team-best six blocks. Senior middle hitter Ashley Perry (Sparta, Ill./Sparta) (Sparta, Ill./Sparta) contributed seven attacks in the victory.
Senior setter Alyssa Speckhals (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) and junior setter Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) (Collinsville, Ill./Triad) each handed out 15 assists against Avila as senior defensive specialist Lindsey Gray (Lebanon, Ill./Lebanon) (Lebanon, Ill./Lebanon) handled 19 digs.
The Bearcats had the tables turned in the second match on Saturday as Benedictine posted a sweep in the best-of-five contest. The Ravens won the match by scores of 25-15, 25-22 and 25-21.
Junior right-side hitter Kaitlyn Kollmann (Collinsville, IL/Metro East Lutheran) (Collinsville, Ill./Metro-East Lutheran) paced McKendree with seven kills as Carrie Brickey (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) notched six attacks and three blocks. Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) registered 14 assists and 12 digs as Lindsey Gray (Lebanon, Ill./Lebanon) had a team-best 13 digs. Ashley Perry (Sparta, Ill./Sparta) also posted a team-leading five blocks.
