The McKendree University women's volleyball team split a pair of matches in the Final day of the Ferris State University Invitational. McKendree dropped the first match Saturday afternoon as the Bearcats were swept in three sets by Ferris State University. The Bulldogs took the best-of-five match by scores of 25-19, 25-15 and 25-17. The Bearcats rebounded with a three-set to one win in the night cap over California University of Pennsylvania with scores of 23-25, 25-15, 25-22, and 25-22.
 
With the split, McKendree moves to 3-1 overall on the season.
 In the first match junior Allison Schneider (St. Louis, MO/Lindbergh) connected for a team-high 7 kills to lead a balanced attack from the Bearcats. Junior setter Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) contributed 15 assists for McKendree, while freshmen Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) dished out seven of her own.
 
Ferris State (3-0) had to earn every point the first set as the teams were tied six different times. In the second set the Bulldogs grabbed an early lead before McKendree chipped away at the deficit to pull within a point halfway through the second set. Ferris State rebounded with a six point run to stretch the lead for good.
 
Another fast start gave the Bulldogs an 8-4 lead in the third set before McKendree fought back once again. The Bearcats used a 9-3 run to rally ahead 13-11. Ferris State used a slew of runs including eight straight to take the lead for good.
 
The Bulldogs cruised ahead and were able to pull away down the stretch to finish off the sweep of McKendree. Megan Vander Meer led Ferris State with 12 kills and 10 digs in the contest. 

The Bearcats rebounded to earn a win in their second game in just four sets. McKendree had three different players hit double digits in kills, including a game high 19 by junior middle hitter Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton). Melchert finished off a strong first weekend as a Bearcat with a game high 27 assists, and sophomore Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) notched a double, double with 10 kills and 15 digs.

The Bearcats dropped the first set to California (PA), before rebounding to win three-straight sets. The Blaze capitalized on a 13-2 run to steal the first set from McKendree.

The Bearcats charged back in the second set jumping out to a 13-4 lead and never looked back as they bested the Blaze by 10 points. In the third set each team traded five point runs to find themselves knotted at 20-20, before two late kills by Fairman sealed the set for McKendree.

The Bearcats once again jumped out early in set four 12-5, but the Blaze battled back with an eight point swing to take a 13-12 lead. McKendree came roaring back with a seven point run of their own pushing their lead to 20-15. They never looked back as they finished off the final set and sealed the victory.

McKendree returns to action Sept. 11 at the Rockhurst University Classic in Kansas City, MO. There first match is at 2:30 P.M. against Henderson State University.