(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 3)--The McKendree University volleyball team finished with a weekend sweep after rallying to a four-set victory over Bellarmine University Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats won by scores of 19-25, 25-22, 25-16, and 25-12.
The Bearcats dropped the first set to the Knights before rallying to win three straight improving to 10-5 overall and 5-1 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. McKendree wraps up a five-match home stand on Tuesday against the University of Illinois Springfield at 7 p.m. in the Statham Center.
Junior outside hitter
Allison Schneider (St. Louis, MO/Lindbergh) had an outstanding day for the Bearcats putting down a career high 17 kills to go along with 13 digs and three blocks. Junior middle hitter
Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton) added 10 kills and five blocks, and sophomore outside hitter
Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) finished just shy of a double-double with nine kills and 14 digs.
Junior setter
Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) had double-double with a season high 27 assists to pair with 13 digs. Other notable performances included senior right side
Taylor Voss (Breese, IL/Breese Central) who had six kills and four blocks and senior middle hitter
Lauren Apetz (Glenwood, FL/DeLand) who tabbed seven kills and three blocks. Sophomore middle blocker
Carissa Lorenz (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way West) had a match high six blocks, and junior libero
Breanna Howe (Mt. Pulaski, IL/Mt. Pulaski) lead McKendree with 15 digs from the back row.
The Bearcats dueled back and forth with the Knights exchanging six lead changes leading to a 16-14 McKendree lead midway through set one. The Knights used back to back kills to ignite an eight point run that put the set out of reach for Bellarmine. The second set looked as if it was going in favor of the Knights as well as they took seven of eight points early in the set to lead 12-8. After a timeout the Bearcats came out charging utilizing a five point run and taking seven of nine points to take a 19-15 lead. Bellarmine would not go away quietly as they rallied to tie the match at 21 and again at 22. The Bearcats went back to the hot hand from Schneider who put down a kill to spark a three point run and close out set two.
The comeback win captured momentum for the Bearcats who kept up the pressure in set three. After trailing 10-8 McKendree took ten of the next thirteen points with help from Apetz who put down two kills on the run. The Bearcats closed out the set taking seven of the final eight points including three kills from Schneider to send the Knights reeling.
McKendree steam rolled the final set winning by 13 points. Apetz put down five kills in the set and Schneider added three of her own to seal the victory for the Bearcats.
Megan Kimbley paced the Knights (6-10) with 10 kills and Allie Muha contributed 14 of the teams 24 digs.
