Box Score (LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 8)—The McKendree University volleyball team saw its four-match win streak come to an end Wednesday as visiting Missouri Baptist University rallied to capture a five-set victory at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. The Bearcats won the first two sets 25-17 and 25-22 before the Spartans – ranked No. 12 in the latest NAIA coaches' poll -- bounced back to grab the final three sets by scores of 25-20, 28-26 and 15-13.
 
McKendree slips to 9-7 on the year and moves back into Great Lakes Valley Conference play Friday night when the University of Southern Indiana comes to Lebanon for a contest. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
 
Freshman outside hitter Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) put down a team-leading 17 kills and added 13 digs in showing the way for McKendree. Sophomore middle hitter Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton) contributed 14 attacks and seven digs on the night, while freshman middle hitter Maria Rasch (Kenosha, WI/Westosha Central) put down a career-best 10 blocks for the Bearcats. Freshman libero Ashly Schmitt (Johnsburg, IL/Johnsburg) collected a season-high 24 digs, marking the sixth consecutive match that she reached double-digits in digs.
 
Sophomore setter Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) handed out a team-leading 22 assists, while sophomore setter Breanna Howe (Mt. Pulaski, IL/Mt. Pulaski) added 12 sets and senior setter Abby Hanger (Belleville, IL/Belleville West) chipped in with 11 for McKendree.
 
McKendree dominated the first set, slowly extending its lead to take a 1-0 lead in the match. In the second set, Missouri Baptist (20-1) controlled the action, building a 19-13 lead while attempting to knot the contest at a set apiece. The Bearcats then scored five of the next six points to pull within 20-18. After the Spartans scored to extend its lead back to three points, McKendree ripped off seven of the final eight points of the set as part of a 12-3 run to steal the second set victory and take a 2-0 lead in the contest. Williams led the way with three kills down the stretch for the Bearcats.
 
Missouri Baptist bounced back to take control late in the third set and pull within 2-1 in the match. In the fourth set, McKendree appeared to have rebounded, building an 18-13 lead after a kill from sophomore outside hitter Bailey Kampwerth (Breese, IL/Mater Dei). The Spartans responded by with a 9-3 run to regain the lead at 22-21. The teams traded points, and McKendree was able to scratch out a 26-25 lead following an attack error by the Spartans.
 
However, Missouri Baptist rallied once again, scoring the final three points to send the contest to a fifth and deciding set. McKendree roared out to a 7-2 lead, but the Spartans put together one final rally, outscoring the Bearcats 12-3 to push the match to the brink at 14-10. A kill from Williams and two attack errors from Missouri Baptist allowed the Bearcats to rally within 14-13, but the Spartans were able to put down one final kill to complete the comeback.
 
Mallory Dillon had a match-high 23 kills to lead Missouri Baptist. Ally Krus handed out 51 assists on the night, while Haley Pouliezos led all players with 25 digs in the back row for the Spartans.