(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 2)--The McKendree University volleyball team cruised to a three-set sweep over Southern Indiana University. The Bearcats won by scores of 25-23, 25-13, and 25-21.

McKendree improves to 9-5 overall and 4-1 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The win gives the Bearcats a game in hand in GLCV play over Southern Indiana. McKendree will close out the weekend with an afternoon tilt versus Bellarmine University Saturday at 3 p.m.

Junior middle hitter Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton) and sophomore outside hitter Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) led the charge for McKendree with 12 kills each. Fairman added a match high six blocks to help stymie the Eagles offense, while Williams put up a double-double adding 12 digs. Junior Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) and Freshman Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) split the setting duties for the Bearcats as the pair tied for a match high 19 assists.

Junior outside hitter Allison Schneider (St. Louis, MO/Lindbergh) put in a solid performance with six kills eight digs and three blocks for McKendree. Senior outside hitter Taylor Voss (Breese, IL/Breese Central) added four kills and three blocks, and sophomore middle blocker Carissa Lorenz (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way West) clogged up the middle with four blocks for the Bearcats.

The Bearcats looked sharp from the first serve jumping out to a 3-0 lead with help from two kills from Fairman. The Eagles rebounded to knot the match at seven before the Bearcats went on a five point run to take a 12-7 lead. The set was a tug of war as McKendree used four runs of at least three points to stretch leads before Southern Indiana could regroup and claw back. The Bearcats used three straight kills from Williams to take a five point lead before the Eagles could battle back to tie the set at 22. McKendree snagged three of the final four set points to steal the set and take a 1-0 lead.

Set two was a different narrative as the Bearcats bolted out in front 7-1 forcing the Eagles to take an early timeout. The pause didn't help as McKendree continued its onslaught with an eight point run to extend their lead to 15. The Bearcats rolled to a 12 point win.

Southern Indiana would not go away without a fight and took McKendree to the wire in what proved to be the final set of the match. McKendree stayed hot with another fast start, but the Eagles battled back with a five point run to pull within one at 12-11. The Bearcats kept their foot on the gas taking four of the next five points including a pair of service aces from Schneider and junior libero Breanna Howe (Mt. Pulaski, IL/Mt. Pulaski). Once again Southern Indiana charged back taking five of six points from McKendree to cut the lead back to one and forcing a timeout from the Bearcats. After exchanging points McKendree closed the set with four of the final five points, three coming off of kills from Fairman.

Erica Oberbroeckling led the Eagles with nine kills and eight digs. Shelbi Morris added seven kills and eight digs, and Shannon Farrell contributed a team high 12 digs for Southern Indiana.