Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 (AURORA, Ill., Oct. 18)—The McKendree University volleyball team closed out the 2014 GLVC/GLIAC Crossover Challenge by winning one of two matches Saturday at the Great Lakes Center in Aurora, Ill. After getting swept in the morning match by the University of Findlay, the Bearcats bounced back to end its stay on a strong note in capturing a four-set victory over Hillsdale College.
 
With the split, McKendree moves to 12-9 on the year. The Bearcats will be in Springfield, Ill., on Sunday for a neutral-site contest against Kentucky Wesleyan College. First serve is set for 3:30 p.m. on the campus of the University of Illinois Springfield.
 
This is the third consecutive year that McKendree has won two of three matches at the GLVC/GLIAC Crossover Challenge. Thanks in part to the Bearcats' two victories, the GLVC was able to retain bragging rights in the tournament for the fifth consecutive year. After league teams posted a 21-3 mark on Friday, GLVC teams combined to go 16-8 on the final day of competition.
 
Sophomore middle hitter Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton) had a big day on Saturday, putting down 27 kills in the two matches for McKendree. Fairman had a match-high 16 attacks in the victory over Hillsdale. Freshman outside hitter Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) contributed 21 kills on the day with 25 digs. Sophomore setter Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) handed out 61 total assists on Saturday as senior setter Abby Hanger (Belleville, IL/Belleville West) handled 30 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Bailey Kampwerth (Breese, IL/Mater Dei) also helped out with 15 kills over the two matches.
 
Against Findlay, McKendree was matched up with the GLIAC's No. 4 seed. The Oilers edged the Bearcats in the first two sets before taking control late in set three to finish off the sweep. Findlay won by scores of 25-23, 28-26 and 25-20.
 
In the first set Findlay controlled the early play in building a 23-16 lead. McKendree made a late burst, putting together a 7-1 run to pull within 24-23. Fairman had two attacks during the run. But the Oilers were able to secure the final point to pull out the victory. The teams went toe-to-toe again in the second set with 10 ties and three lead changes. McKendree was serving for the second set at 26-25, looking to tie the match at a set apiece before Findlay's Erika Roach strung together three straight kills to help the Oilers steal the victory and a two-set lead in the match.
 
Findlay took the lead early in the third set and led by as many as seven points in pulling away for the sweep. Williams led McKendree with 13 kills while Fairman finished with 11 attacks. Dickmann was credited with 27 assists and Hanger notched 12 digs.
 
McKendree wrapped up its 2014 Crossover Challenge by taking on a first-time opponent in Hillsdale. The teams split the first two sets before the Bearcats took control and earned the four-set victory.
 
In the first set McKendree was able to dominate up front. The trio of Fairman, junior right-side hitter Lauren Apetz (Glenwood, FL/DeLand) and freshman middle hitter Maria Rasch (Kenosha, WI/Westosha Central) combined for 12 kills. The Bearcats won the set 25-21 before the Chargers responded with a 25-22 victory in the second set to even the match.
 
McKendree grabbed the early in set three before Hillsdale rallied to take an 18-14 lead. The Bearcats fought back and reeled off four consecutive points to tie the set at 18-18. The teams traded points until McKendree seized control late to build a 2-1 lead in sets on the Chargers. After the teams exchanged leads early in the fourth set, the Bearcats were able to pull ahead and close out the four-set win over Hillsdale.
 
Fairman notched 16 kills while Rasch closed the match with 12 kills. Apetz chipped in with nine attacks while Williams and Kampwerth each contributed eight kills. Dickmann finished with 34 assists as Hanger posted 18 digs and Williams chipped in with 17 in the back row.