(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 24)—The McKendree University volleyball team pushed its win streak to six consecutive matches with a pair of victories Friday at the McKendree Invitational at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. The Bearcats swept both of their contests, defeating Ashford University and St. Catharine College.
The two victories give McKendree an overall record of 12-5. The Bearcats will host the final day of the McKendree Invitational on Saturday and will play just one match. The Bearcats will take on Peru State College at 11 a.m.
McKendree opened Friday's action with Ashford University. The Bearcats and Saints were evenly matched throughout the contast, but McKendree was able to pull away in the later stages of each set to post the sweep. The Bearcats won by scores of 25-19, 25-21, 25-23.
Senior outside hitter Tara Ryterski (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) led a balanced attack with nine kills, while senior middle hitter Carrie Brickey (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) chipped in with eight kills. Junior right-side hitter Nadia Moore (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) notched seven attacks and a match-high six blocks against Ashford.
Senior setter Alyssa Speckhals (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) handed out 15 assists and a season-best five service aces, while junior setter Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) (Collinsville, Ill./Triad) was right behind in sets with 14. Senior defensive specialist Lindsey Gray (Lebanon, Ill./Lebanon) (Lebanon, Ill./Lebanon) collected a team-best 15 digs.
The Bearcats had a much easier time in Friday's final match of the day against St. Catharine. McKendree posted identical victories of 25-18 in each of the first two sets before rolling to a 21-7 lead in the final set before posting a 25-13 win in the third and final set.
Tara Ryterski (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) and senior middle hitter Ashley Perry (Sparta, Ill./Sparta) (Sparta, Ill./Sparta) shared team-high honors with eight kills against St. Catharine. Carrie Brickey (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) was close behind with seven kills. Alyssa Speckhals (Hermann, Mo./Hermann) posted 14 assists as Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) registered 13 assists. Lindsey Grey handled a match-high 18 digs for the Bearcats.
McKENDREE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL RESULT
FRIDAY, SEPT. 24 AT LEBANON, ILL.
McKENDREE INVITATIONAL
Team 1 2 3
McKENDREE 25 25 25
Ashford 19 21 23
Team 1 2 3
McKENDREE 25 25 25
St. Catharine 18 18 13
McKendree is now 12-5 overall
