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(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 1)--The McKendree University volleyball squad closed out its first weekend of action Saturday at the Days Inn/Bulldog Invitational in Kirskville, Mo. The Bearcats were defeated twice on the final day of play, falling in straight sets to Ashland University before taking Winona State University to four sets in the nightcap.

McKendree slips to 0-4 on the season and will play its final in-season tournament of the 2012 campaign next weekend at the Arkansas Tech University Spikefest in Russellville, Ark. The Bearcats will begin play on Friday with matches against the University of Central Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas-Monticello.

Saturday's play tipped off with McKendree facing Ashland. The Bearcats and Warriors battled for the first two sets, with Ashland coming away victorious in both before pulling away in the final set to notch the 3-0 victory. The Eagles took the contest by scores of 25-20, 27-25 and 25-16.

Junior outside hitter Maureen Nesbit (Belleville, IL/Althoff Catholic) was the lone McKendree player to reach double figures in the kills department with 10. Freshman middle hitter Lauren Apetz (Glenwood, FL/DeLand) added eight attacks in the effort. Junior setter Abby Hanger (Belleville, IL/Belleville West) registered 33 assists, while junior libero Maddie Kelly (Lake Saint Louis, MO/Timberland) handled a match-high 14 digs for the Bearcats.

After a lengthy break, McKendree met Winona State in the Bearcats' final match of the tournament. After the teams split the first two sets, the Warriors took control in the final two sets to come away with the win. Winona State earned the match victory by scores of 25-17, 21-25, 25-18 and 25-19.

Lauren Apetz (Glenwood, FL/DeLand) paced a balanced attack for McKendree with 10 kills, while junior middle hitter Mel Duncan added eight kills and 11 digs. For the second straight match, Maddie Kelly (Lake Saint Louis, MO/Timberland) led all players on the court with 20 digs, and Abby Hanger (Belleville, IL/Belleville West) chipped in with match-best 30 assists.