Box Score (QUINCY, Ill., Sept. 28)—The McKendree University volleyball team was defeated in four sets on Saturday evening at Quincy University. The host Hawks had to hold off the Bearcats by scores of 25-21, 27-25, 22-25 and 25-21.
 
McKendree slips to 2-9 overall and 1-2 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Bearcats will complete their weekend road trip Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. in Kirksville, Mo., against Truman State University. The Bulldogs – who are the newest GLVC member, beginning play in the league this season – are ranked No. 18 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II poll.
 
Senior outside hitter Maureen Nesbit (Belleville, IL/Althoff Catholic) paced the McKendree offense with 12 kills at Quincy. Sophomore outside hitter and sophomore right-side hitter Taylor Voss (Breese, IL/Breese Central) each contributed 10 attacks for the Bearcats. Freshman setter Breanna Howe (Mt. Pulaski, IL/Mt. Pulaski) handed out a team-leading 20 assists, while senior libero Maddie Kelly (Lake Saint Louis, MO/Timberland) notched 16 digs.
 
After being edged in a close first set, McKendree jumped out to a 10-4 lead thanks to a 7-1 run early in the second set. Junior outside hitter Kelsey Johnson (Aviston, IL/Breese Central) had two kills during the spurt for the Bearcats. Quincy (5-6, 1-2 GLVC) chipped away at the deficit and forged its first tie at 13-13. The teams battled back and forth, and the Hawks looked to take the set serving at 24-23. But a service error helped McKendree knot the contest at 24-24. Quincy was then able to take three of the final four points of the set to build a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
In the third set, McKendree trailed by as many as five points before surging back on an 8-3 run to tie the contest at 15-15. Voss had two kills in the comeback for the Bearcats. The teams remained close throughout the set and were tied at 21-21 before McKendree took control, winning four of the final five points to salvage the set.
 
Quincy was able to take control midway through the fourth and final set to hold off McKendree and seal the win. Samantha Haegele put down a match-high 20 kills and added 19 digs to lead the Hawks, while Carly Schmitt chipped in with 15 attacks. Renee Beranek handed out a match-high 48 assists for Quincy.