Box Score (KIRKSVILLE, Mo., Sept. 29)—The McKendree University volleyball team had upset on its mind during its Sunday match at Truman State, but the host Bulldogs were able to hold off the Bearcats in four sets. Truman State, ranked No. 18 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II poll, won by scores of 20-25, 25-13, 25-16 and 25-19.
With the loss, McKendree moves to 2-10 on the season and is now 1-3 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. The Bearcats will host non-conference play at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center Tuesday at 7 p.m. when Lindenwood University comes to town.
At Truman State, sophomore outside hitter
Hannah Wessel (Waterloo, IL/Gibault Catholic) posted a double-double for McKendree with a team-high 13 kills to go along with 10 digs. Senior outside hitter
Maureen Nesbit (Belleville, IL/Althoff Catholic) added eight attacks with 13 digs. Freshman setter
Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) registered a team-best 20 assists, while senior libero
Maddie Kelly (Lake Saint Louis, MO/Timberland) notched 25 digs from the back row. Freshman middle hitter
Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton) was in on five assisted blocks for the Bearcats.
McKendree went toe-to-toe with Truman State in the first set and took control in the later stages to jump in front of the Bulldogs. The score was tied 16-16 when freshman outside hitter
Bailey Kampwerth (Breese, IL/Mater Dei) put down a kill to spark a run of three straight points for McKendree. The Bearcats never trailed the remainder of the set as the Bulldogs committed three straight unforced errors late in the contest.
Truman State bounced back quickly, using runs of 8-3 to open the second set and 7-1 to close it out to tie the match at a set apiece. The Bulldogs never trailed in the third set as they grabbed a 2-1 lead in the contest. McKendree grabbed its last lead of the afternoon at 14-13 in the fourth set thanks to a kill by Wessel. From there, Truman State scored the next seven points and pulled away for the victory.
Ali Patterson led a balanced attack for Truman State (8-5, 3-1 GLVC) with 13 kills, while Abby Heise and Allie Brak each connected for 12 attacks. Meghan Zimmerman handed out a match-high 46 assists for the Bulldogs.
