Box Score (KENOSHA, Wis., Nov. 7)—The McKendree University women's volleyball team registered its third consecutive victory with a four-set triumph Friday night at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, The Bearcats took the best-of-five match by scores of 25-20, 22-25, 25-16 and 25-22.
With the win, McKendree improves to 18-11 overall and 11-6 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Bearcats will close out the regular-season portion of their 2014 schedule Saturday afternoon with a GLVC tilt at Lewis University. First serve is set for 3 p.m. in Romeoville, Ill.
\Freshman outside hitter
Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) led the way once again for McKendree with a match-high 16 kills. It is the fourth time in the last five contests that Williams registered double-digits in attacks. Junior right-side hitter
Lauren Apetz (Glenwood, FL/DeLand) helped out with 11 kills, while sophomore outside hitter Bailey Kamperth came off the bench to post nine attacks. Sophomore setter
Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) notched a double-double with 24 assists along with 12 digs.
Sophomore setter
Breanna Howe (Mt. Pulaski, IL/Mt. Pulaski) contributed 22 sets in the win, while senior outside hitter
Kelsey Johnson (Aviston, IL/Breese Central) handled a team-best 16 digs for the Bearcats.
Each of the first two sets featured seven ties and three lead changes as the teams split the contests. McKendree broke open a close battle in the first set with a 7-1 run to jump out to a 16-10 advantage. Williams had two kills during the burst for the Bearcats. Wisconsin-Parkside rallied back to within 20-19 before consecutive attacks by Johnson and freshman middle hitter
Maria Rasch (Kenosha, WI/Westosha Central) helped extend the lead back to three to help McKendree grab an early lead.
The Rangers evened the match with a set two win before McKendree won the pivotal third set. Wisconsin-Parkside (14-13, 7-10 GLVC) raced to a 7-2 lead before the Bearcats came roaring back. McKendree scored seven of the next eight points to grab a 9-8 lead. After a McKendree service error, the Bearcats scored the next two points and never trailed the remainder of the set.
McKendree led throughout the fourth and final set, but withstood a late challenge from Wisconsin-Parkside to complete the season sweep of the Rangers. The Bearcats took their largest lead of the set at 17-9 following a service ace from Dickmann. Wisconsin-Parkside chipped away at the deficit and pulled to within one point on two different occasions down the stretch. But McKendree held on to collect the GLVC road win.
Lisa Gregerson led the Rangers with 11 kills, while Jackie Langer added 10 attacks and 16 digs. Megan Pekarek handed out a match-high 32 assists for Wisconsin-Parkside.
McKendree also took the first meeting of the season between the two teams in four sets back on Sept. 27 in Lebanon.
