(ST. CHARLES, Mo., Nov. 10)—The McKendree University volleyball team was defeated in four sets Thursday morning by host Lindenwood University in pool-play action at the Locos Grill Transition Tournament.
 
After dropping the first two sets, the Bearcats rallied for a third-set victory. However, the Lions took control in the fourth and final set to post the win. Lindenwood took the match by scores of 25-14, 25-13, 20-25 and 25-18.
 
McKendree slips to 10-23 with the loss. The Bearcats will wrap up pool play on Friday at 10 a.m. with a match against Minot State University.
 
Senior outside hitter Kaitlyn Kollmann (Collinsville, IL/Metro East Lutheran) (Collinsville, Ill./Metro East Lutheran) had a team-high 14 kills to pace McKendree, while freshman outside hitter Erica Johnson (New Baden, IL/Wesclin) (New Baden, Ill./Wesclin) was close behind with 13 kills along with 12 digs. Senior outside hitter Nadia Moore (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) registered eight kills, and freshman middle hitter Hilary Richter (Troy, IL/Triad) (Troy, Ill./Triad) connected for seven attacks and a team-leading five blocks against Lindenwood.
 
Senior setter Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) (Collinsville, Ill./Triad) handed out 20 assists for McKendree, while freshman setter Maggie Mueller (St. Peters, MO/Francis Howell Central) (St. Peters, Mo./Francis Howell Central) contributed 15 assists and a team-leading 13 digs.
 
Facing a two-set deficit, McKendree bounced back with a strong effort in the third set. The Bearcats grabbed the lead early in the set, scoring four of five points to take an 8-5 advantage. McKendree slowly stretched its margin and took the largest lead of the set at 23-16 following a kill by senior hitter Melinda Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) (Collinsville, Ill./Triad). The Lions tried to rally, scoring four of the next five points to pull within 24-20, but Johnson finished off the set with a kill off a pass from Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad).
 
The fourth set went back and forth until an 8-2 run pushed Lindenwood in front, 20-12. The Bearcats battled back, pulling within 21-16 after a kill by Moore, but the Lions quickly regained control to finish off the contest.
 
Katie Weber led all players with 17 kills for Lindenwood. Emma Brydels recorded a triple-double for the Lions with 13 kills, 25 assists and 14 digs.
 
McKENDREE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL RESULT
THURSDAY, NOV. 10, 2011 AT ST. CHARLES, MO.
LOCOS GRILL TRANSITION TOURNAMENT HOSTED BY LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY
 
Team                            1          2          3          4
Lindenwood                  25         25         20         25
McKENDREE                14         13         25         18
 
McKendree is now 10-23 overall