Box Score (LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 11)—The McKendree University volleyball team bounced back into the win column on Saturday with a three-set sweep of Bellarmine University Saturday afternoon at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. The Bearcats took the best-of-five match by scores of 25-20, 25-17 and 25-22.
 
The win snaps a tough two-match skid for McKendree. The Bearcats are now 10-8 overall and improve to 7-4 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. McKendree will have a few days off before heading to Aurora, Ill., for the GLVC/GLIAC Crossover Challenge. The two-day tournament will be held on Friday and Saturday. Pairings and times for the Bearcats' three matches against foes from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will be announced on Monday.
 
Freshman outside hitter Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) led the offensive surge for McKendree with 14 kills against Bellarmine. Williams posted a double-double as she chipped in with 12 digs. Freshman middle hitter Maria Rasch (Kenosha, WI/Westosha Central) added seven attacks and a team-leading six blocks. Sophomore setter Breanna Howe (Mt. Pulaski, IL/Mt. Pulaski) handed out a team-leading 20 assists as sophomore setter Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) added 16 sets. In the back row, senior Abby Hanger (Belleville, IL/Belleville West) posted 16 digs for the Bearcats. Senior outside hitter Kelsey Johnson (Aviston, IL/Breese Central) also helped out with six kills, eight digs and a trio of blocks in the winning effort. 
 
In the match, McKendree had 41 kills compared to 25 for the visiting Knights. The Bearcats also held a 9-7 edge in team blocks.

In the first set, there were eight ties and four lead changes. McKendree broke open a close contest in the later stages of the set, as the Bearcats closed by scoring eight of the final 11 points to build an early lead. Williams led the surge by putting down three kills in the Bearcats' final four points. McKendree dominated the second set, opening on a 16-6 run. That 10-point lead was the largest of the game for the Bearcats and it came thanks to an attack from Fairman.

Bellarmine (7-9, 3-8 GLVC) held a 14-9 lead midway through the third set before McKendree rallied to take control. The Bearcats used a 10-1 run to seize a 19-15 advatnage. Again, Fairman punctuated the burst with a kill off a pass from Howe. The Knights rallied to regain the lead at 21-20 when Rasch put down a kill to knot the set at 21-21. The teams traded points before McKendree closed out the sweep courtesy of a kill from junior right-side hitter Lauren Apetz (Glenwood, FL/DeLand) and two more attacks from Williams. 
 
McKendree's victory on Saturday helped avenge a four-set loss to the Knights during the 2013 season in Louisville, Ky.