Box Score (LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 25)—The McKendree University volleyball program was one point away from victory Tuesday night at home against Missouri Baptist University, but the visiting Spartans rallied for a five-set win at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. Missouri Baptist won by scores of 26-24, 20-25, 15-25, 26-24 and 15-8.
 
The loss sends McKendree to a 6-8 overall record. The Bearcats will hit the road for Great Lakes Valley Conference play this weekend, beginning with a Friday evening match at Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
 
Freshman middle hitter Lauren Apetz (Glenwood, FL/DeLand) put down a team-high 20 kills to lead McKendree. Apetz also collected seven assisted blocks in the match. Junior outside hitter Maureen Nesbit (Belleville, IL/Althoff Catholic) had a double-double with 13 kills and 18 digs, while junior middle hitter Mel Duncan posted 11 kills and a match-high eight assisted blocks. Freshman outside hitter Hannah Wessel (Waterloo, IL/Gibault Catholic) also reached double figures in the attack department with 10.
 
Junior setter Abby Hanger (Belleville, IL/Belleville West) dished out a match-high 53 assists for McKendree, while junior libero Maddie Kelly (Lake Saint Louis, MO/Timberland) registered 24 digs in the outing for the Bearcats.
 
After dropping a 26-24 decision in the first set, McKendree grabbed an early lead and pulled away to even the match in the second set. A pair of kills from Nesbit sparked a 6-1 run that pushed the Bearcats out to a 13-6 advantage. McKendree stretched its lead to 20-12 following a service ace by junior hitter Meghan Dohogne (Cape Girardeau, MO/Notre Dame Regional) in cruising to the win.
 
With the third set tied at 13-13, Nesbit scored off a kill to give the Bearcats a one-point lead. McKendree caught fire from there, closing the set on a 12-2 run for a decisive victory to take a 2-1 match lead. The teams battled back and forth in the fourth set, with McKendree edging out to a 24-22 lead and serving for the match. But Missouri Baptist reeled off the final four points of the contest to force a fifth and deciding set.
 
Missouri Baptist never trailed in the final set, closing the match on a 6-1 run to remain undefeated at 16-0. Maddy Hammack put down a match-high 25 kills to lead the Spartans, while Ally Krus handed out 52 assists.