Box Score (AURORA, Ill., Oct. 17)—The McKendree University volleyball team opened its stay at the 2014 GLVC/GLIAC Crossover Challenge on a strong note Friday afternoon with a three-set sweep of Ohio Dominican University. The Bearcats took the best-of-five contest by scores of 25-17, 25-22 and 25-19.
 
With the win, McKendree is now 11-8 on the season. Friday's win over Ohio Dominican was the Bearcats' lone match on Friday at the GLVC/GLIAC Crossover Challenge. McKendree will close out the two-day event with a pair of contests on Saturday, opening with the University of Findlay in a 10 a.m. battle before playing in the final scheduled match of the day at 4 p.m. versus Hillsdale College.
 
Freshman outside hitter Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) was the only player in double digits in kills in the Ohio Dominican match as she put down 15 to lead the way for McKendree. Williams just missed a double-double has she handled nine digs. Sophomore middle hitter Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton) connected for eight attacks and had a match-high six blocks up front for the Bearcats. Junior right-side hitter Lauren Apetz (Glenwood, FL/DeLand) chipped in with six kills in the winning effort.
 
Sophomore setters Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) and Breanna Howe (Mt. Pulaski, IL/Mt. Pulaski) combined for 35 assists in the match, with Dickmann handing out a team-leading 19 sets. In the back row, senior Abby Hanger (Belleville, IL/Belleville West) handled 13 digs.
 
Williams was a big factor in McKendree taking the first set and the early lead against the Panthers. She had eight of her 15 kills in the opening set as the Bearcats hit .324 as a team to grab a 1-0 lead. McKendree broke open a close contest thanks to a 6-2 run to build a 20-15 advantage. The Bearcats were able to slowly pull away for the opening-set victory.
 
Ohio Dominican (9-9) held the lead for the majority of the second set before McKendree was able to get on a roll late in the contest. Trailing 20-17, the Bearcats scored eight of the final 10 points to establish a two-set lead over the Panthers. McKendree ripped off six consecutive points to take the lead for good at 23-20 as Apetz had two big kills in the rally.
 
McKendree was able to grab the lead midway through the third and final set to complete its second sweep of Ohio Dominican this season. The Bearcats defeated the Panthers back on Sept. 6 at the Dunn Hospitality Classic in Evansville, Ind.
 
Caitlin Kusan led Ohio Dominican with seven kills, while Ashlin Aiken handed out 13 assists in the contest for the Panthers.