IOWA WESLEYAN BOX SCORE

SAINT XAVIER BOX SCORE

(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 29)—The McKendree University volleyball team took one of two matches on the final day of play Saturday at the McKendree Invitational at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. The Bearcats outlasted Iowa Wesleyan College in four sets before being swept by Saint Xavier University.
 
The split gives McKendree an overall record of 10-21 on the year. The Bearcats will host their final home match of the 2011 season Tuesday night against Quincy University. The contest is scheduled for a 7 p.m. first serve. Prior to the match, McKendree will honor its eight senior players making their final home appearance.
 
Freshman outside hitter Erica Johnson (New Baden, IL/Wesclin) (New Baden, Ill./Wesclin) had a productive offensive day for McKendree, collecting 22 kills in the two matches on Saturday. Senior outside hitter Kaitlyn Kollmann (Collinsville, IL/Metro East Lutheran) (Collinsville, Ill./Metro East Lutheran) had another solid day with 19 combined kills against Iowa Wesleyan and Saint Xavier. Senior setter Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) (Collinsville, Ill./Triad) handed out 45 assists on the day, while senior libero Savannah Jarvis (Mascoutah, IL/Mascoutah) (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) registered 23 digs for the Bearcats.
 
Against Iowa Wesleyan, the Bearcats and Tigers split the first two sets before McKendree took control in the later stages. McKendree pulled away to record the four-set victory by scores of 25-18, 20-25, 25-17 and 25-18.
 
In the third set, the teams went back and forth with McKendree clinging to an 18-17 lead. A kill by senior right-side hitter Lauren Richter (Mascoutah, IL/Mascoutah) (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) sparked the Bearcats on a match-ending 7-0 run to win the set. McKendree led throughout the fourth and final set, but the Tigers rallied in the middle portion of the contest. Iowa Wesleyan pulled within 15-13, but a pair of kills from Kollmann highlighted a 5-2 run that helped McKendree put the match out of reach.
 
Johnson finished the contest with 14 kills, while Kollmann chipped in with 11. Bayer posted 30 assists as Jarvis and sophomore defensive specialist Melissa Conley (New Baden, IL/Wesclin) (New Baden, Ill./Wesclin) each had a team-leading 10 digs. Jarvis also had three service aces against Iowa Wesleyan.
 
Against Saint Xavier, McKendree went toe-to-toe in each of the three sets with the Cougars. However, Saint Xavier overcame a pair of leads by the Bearcats in the first and third sets to notch the sweep. Saint Xavier won by scores of 25-18, 25-18 and 25-23.
 
Johnson and Kollmann each produced eight kills to lead a balanced attack for McKendree. Senior outside hitter Nadia Moore (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) added five attacks in the effort. Bayer posted 15 assists, while Jarvis handled a team-best 13 digs.
 
McKENDREE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL RESULT
SATURDAY, OCT. 29, 2011 AT LEBANON, ILL.
 
Team                                1           2            3           4
McKENDREE                   25         20         25         25
Iowa Wesleyan               18         25         17         18
 
Team                                1           2            3
Saint Xavier                    25         25          25
McKENDREE                  18         18          23
 
McKendree is now 10-21 overall