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(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 19)--After playing its first eight matches of the 2013 season on the road, the McKendree University volleyball team is ready for the friendly confines of the Harry M. Statham Sports Center.
The Bearcats will make their home debut this weekend as they open Great Lakes Valley Conference play by hosting the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Saturday at 5 p.m. and Maryville University on Sunday at 1 p.m. Even though McKendree will bring a 1-7 overall record into the weekend, head coach
Lisa Orlet believes her team is primed for a positive swing.
"Our players are excited to get on the home floor and jump into conference play," said Orlet. "They are well-rested, and we have had a week to fine tune some things as we begin the GLVC schedule. They have built on the lessons learned over the last two weeks, and I think they will be focused when they hit the court."
With all the returning experience from the 2012 squad, it has been a group of freshmen that have helped lead McKendree through the first weeks of the 2013 campaign.
Bailey Kampwerth (Breese, IL/Mater Dei) leads the offense for the Bearcats with 75 kills, while
Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton) has played well in the middle with 45 attacks and a team-leading 17 blocks. First-year setter
Rebecca Nauman (Yorkville, IL/Yorkville) has handed out 170 assists to pace McKendree.
Missouri-St. Louis brings a 5-4 record into Lebanon. The Tritons opened their GLVC slate on Tuesday with a sweep of Maryville University. Senior outside hitter Chelsea Burkle leads UMSL with 114 kills and is second on the squad with nine service aces. Sophomore middle blocker Hannah Miller has posted a team-best 21 blocks, while sophomore setter Lindsay Meyer has handed out 201 assists to date.
Maryville will play a non-conference match at Benedictine University-Springfield on Saturday before facing the Bearcats Sunday afternoon. The Saints are 4-6 on the year after dropping the UMSL contest. Senior middle blocker Mikaela Lahm paces a balanced offensive attack for Maryville with 72 kills along with a team-high 23 blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Laura Welling has added 71 attacks for the Tritons, while sophomore setter Taryn Trubich has collected 201 assists.
