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(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 6)—The McKendree University volleyball team continued its winning ways on Tuesday with a four set decision over the University of Illinois Springfield at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. The Bearcats dropped the first set before rallying to win three straight for the second straight match. The Bearcats won by scores of 20-25, 25-19, 25-10, and 25-13.
 
 McKendree improves to 11-5 overall and 6-1 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Bearcats return to action this Friday with a match in Rensselaer, IN. against Saint Joseph's College at 7 p.m.
 
Junior outside hitter Allison Schneider (St. Louis, MO/Lindbergh) stayed hot following up a career high 17 kill showing on Saturday against Bellarmine University with a 16 kill, 10 dig performance against the Prairie Stars. Sophomore outside hitter Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) matched Schneider with 16 kills of her own. Williams also posted 15 digs and six aces to pace the Bearcats. Junior setter Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) had a match high 26 assists for McKendree, while Freshman setter Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) notched a double-double with 21 hand outs and 13 digs. Other contributors for the Bearcats include senior right side Taylor Voss (Breese, IL/Breese Central) who put down seven kills on just 13 attempts. Senior middle hitter Lauren Apetz (Glenwood, FL/DeLand) paired seven kills with five digs for McKendree.
 
The Bearcats stumbled out of the gates falling behind early in set one 13-6. McKendree responded by taking the next three points with a kill a piece from Schneider and junior middle blocker Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton). The Prairie Stars came charging back taking five of the next six points to extend their lead to eight. The Bearcats responded out of a time out with four straight points, but the lead was too much to overcome as they dropped set one by five points.
 
McKendree seemed to falter again early in set two. UIS used a small run to force a Bearcat timeout, which proved to be the turning point of the evening. Down 14-9 in set two Dickmann arched a set to Williams who put down a booming kill inside the Statham Center. The kill seemed to wake the crowd and the Bearcats who came back charging. After dropping a point Williams went on to put down three straight kills sparking a 14-4 run that put set two away for McKendree.
 
The Bearcats used the momentum to streak through set three besting UIS by 15 points. Williams notched six kills in the set, while Schneider added four for McKendree. Set four was more of the same as the Bearcats found themselves tied at 7-7 McKendree used a 10 point run that included four aces from Williams to secure the set and seal the match.