(LEBANON, Ill., September 4)—The McKendree University women's volleyball team won its first two matches to kick off its 2015 season at the Ferris State University Invitational in Big Rapids, MI. The Bearcats rolled to a pair of three-set sweeps over Mercyhurst University and Metropolitan State University on Friday. McKendree won the first match 25-20, 25-17 and 25-20. The Bearcats kept the momentum rolling in the night cap with a three-set score of 25-23, 25-24, and 25-18.

McKendree, now 2-0 on the year, will wrap up the Ferris State University Invitational tomorrow with games at noon and 5 p.m. The Bearcats will square off against host team Ferris State University and California University of Pennsylvania.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) paced the team in game one with 12 kills and 12 digs. Junior setter Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) contributed 23 of the teams 45 assists, and freshman Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) added 17 assists in her Bearcats' debut.
 
The first set was a seesaw battle until a kill by senior right-side hitter Lauren Apetz (Glenwood, FL/DeLand) sparked a run of five consecutive points to finish off the frame. McKendree used two seven point runs to capture the second set.
 
In set three, Mercyhurst tried to avoid the sweep and battled the Bearcats back and forth into the middle stages of the contest. Once again McKendree reeled off two late runs to pull off the season-opening win 25-20.
 
Williams was the only McKendree player to reach double figures in kills and digs. Apetz added nine kills, while junior Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton) tallied eight for the Bearcats.

The Metro State match was a much closer affair as the Bearcats narrowly edged the Roadrunners the first two sets. Williams once again lead the way with 13 kills and 11 digs, while Amanda Geiger (Tomball, TX/Concordia Lutheran) added nine of her own. Dickmann and Melchert each added strong performances with 17 and 15 assists, respectively.

The first set was a back and forth affair as it was tied 14 different times, including six lead changes. McKendree rallied to take three of the final four points to clinch the set. The second set was more of the same as the Bearcats traded blows throughout and narrowly edged the Roadrunners.

The final set was controlled early by the Bearcats as they jumped out to a 9-3 advantage and cruised to the three-set sweep.
Williams notched her second double, double of the season while Apetz put down eight kills of her own. Breanna Howe (Mt. Pulaski, IL/Mt. Pulaski) also got in on the action with 10 digs.