(LEBANON, Ill., September 12)—The McKendree University women's volleyball team split a pair of five set matches in the final day of the Rockhurst University Classic on Saturday.McKendree won the first match Saturday morning as the Bearcats were able to sweep the final three sets of a match against Oklahoma Baptist University. The Bearcats took the best-of-five match with scores of 21-25, 23-25, 25-15, 26-24, and 15-9. In game two the Bearcats nearly pulled off the upset over fifth ranked Wayne State College (NE), but fell in the final set with scores of 25-22, 25-23, 21-25, 22-25, and 17-19.
McKendree moves to 5-3 overall on the season after splitting a pair of double headers this weekend.
In the first match sophomore outside hitter Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) and junior setter Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) each recorded double, doubles to lead the Bearcats. Williams connected for a team-high 14 kills and added 15 digs, while Dickmann notched 34 and 10 digs of her own. Junior middle hitter Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton) contributed 13 kills, while freshman Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) dished out 25 assists for the Bearcats.
Oklahoma Baptist was able to keep McKendree at an arms-length during the first set after jumping out to a 12-7 lead. The Bison never allowed the Bearcats to come within three points as they captured the first of five sets.
The second set was tight early the Bearcats used a three point swing to tie the game 9-9. The Bison came charging back with a seven point rally of their own, and held on down the stretch as McKendree cut the lead to just one point after back-to-back kills by senior Taylor Voss (Breese, IL/Breese Central). The Bearcats fell just short dropping the set by two points.
McKendree used the momentum gained near the end of set two to jump out to a 6-1 lead early in set three. The Bearcats cruised to a 10 point win with help from Voss and fellow senior Lauren Apetz (Glenwood, FL/DeLand) who each recorded four kills in the set.
The fourth set was a back and forth affair. The Bison had five runs of at least three points, while McKendree put up three runs of five to keep things balanced. The match was tied at 24 before back to back kills by Fairman and Williams sealed the set for the Bearcats. The deciding set was all McKendree, as the Bearcats cruised to a six point win.
The nightcap for McKendree was yet another thriller. The Bearcats put on a balanced attack with five players reaching double digits in kills. Williams, Dickmann, and junior outside hitter Bailey Kampwerth (Breese, IL/Mater Dei) all recorded double, doubles.
McKendree jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the match. The Bearcats extended that lead to 11 after kills by Williams and Kampwerth made it 21-10. The Wildcats would not go away quietly as they used a 12-2 run to cut the Bearcat lead to just one at 23-22. McKendree held on with back-to-back kills to clinch the first set.
The second set had the same theme for McKendree. The Bearcats rushed to a 6-1 edge with help from a pair of kills from Apetz. The teams exchanged five runs of at least three points to find the set tied at 22. McKendree was able to finish off the set by taking three of the final four points.
Things turned for the Wildcats as they were able to steal sets three and four with two early runs of five and six points to force a decisive fifth set. It was a fitting final set as the teams exchanged the lead five times and went into an extended set after the Bearcats tied the match at 15. McKendree rallied to tie the match again at 16 and 17 before the Wildcats could hold on for the win.
McKendree returns to action Sept. 18 with the start of conference play. The Bearcats will travel to Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo for a 7 p.m. match.
