(LEBANON, Ill., Aug. 30)—The McKendree University volleyball team was swept by Missouri Baptist University in the Bearcats' 2011 season opener Tuesday evening at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. The visiting Spartans swept the best-of-five contest by scores of 25-13, 25-14 and 25-20.
McKendree, which plays just two of its first 20 matches at home this season, will look to rebound this weekend at the Saint Joseph's College Puma Invitational in Renssalaer, Ind. The Bearcats will open up play on Friday by taking on Cedarville University at 2 p.m. before meeting host Saint Joseph's College at 6 p.m.
Against Missouri Baptist, senior right-side hitter Kaitlyn Kollmann (Collinsville, IL/Metro East Lutheran) (Collinsville, Ill./Metro East Lutheran) paced McKendree with nine kills. Senior outside hitter Nadia Moore (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) chipped in with seven attacks. Senior setter Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) (Collinsville, Ill./Triad) handed out a team-best 14 assists as freshman setter Maggie Mueller (St. Peters, MO/Francis Howell Central) (St. Peters, Mo./Francis Howell Central) notched nine assists.
Junior outside hitter Laura Payne (Rockville, IN/Rockville) (Rockville, Ind./Rockville) handled a team-high 11 digs in the contest.
Missouri Baptist, which is ranked No. 24 in the NAIA pre-season poll, remains perfect on the season at 5-0. The Spartans won the first two matches handily before McKendree roared back and took a seven-point lead midway through the third set. However, Missouri Baptist responded with a strong finishing kick, scoring 13 of the final 15 points of the match to register the win.
McKENDREE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL RESULT
TUESDAY, AUG. 30, 2011 AT LEBANON, ILL.
Team 1 2 3
Missouri Baptist 25 25 25
McKendree 13 14 20
