(Springfield, Ill., Oct. 4)—The McKendree University women's volleyball team topped the University of Illinois Springfield  Tuesday evening in Springfield, IL. The Bearcats won by scores of 25-21, 25-16, and 25-14.

The win moves McKendree to 11-5 overall and 6-1 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play this season. The Bearcats return to action Oct. 7 when they play host to another GLVC foe in the University of Indianapolis at 7 p.m. in the Harry M. Statham Sports Center.

McKendree was paced offensively by junior outside hitter Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) who logged a double-double with a match high 17 kills and 10 digs. Junior right side Amanda Geiger (Tomball, TX/Concordia Lutheran) finished second on the team with eight kills, adding two blocks, and senior right side Allison Schneider (St. Louis, MO/Lindbergh) tallied six kills, seven digs, and five blocks.

Sophomore setter Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) dished out a match high 18 assists, while senior setter Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) chipped in 13 of her own. Senior middle blocker Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton) tied for a match high with five blocks and freshman outside hitter Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei ) recorded nine digs. Freshman libero Alissa Zeitelhack (Overland Park, KS/Blue Valley West) stuck a match high 11 digs from the back row as the Bearcats held the Prairie Stars to a .000 attack percentage.

McKendree started fast, as Voss got the Bearcats on the board with an ace. McKendree went on to an early 9-3 advantage as Williams tabbed four early kills. Illinois Springfield responded with three of the next four points, before Fairman and Geiger each tallied kills to put the Bearcats up 12-6. The Prairie Stars continued to battle back as they pulled within just one point at 14-13 and continued to roll taking their first lead of the night at 21-20. A block from Schneider tied the match and started a 5-0 run that included kills from Williams and Schneider to close the first set for McKendree.

Geiger, Schneider, and Williams all notched kills to start set two as the Bearcats took an early 4-2 lead. Illinois Springfield clawed back to tie the set at 6-6 before surrendering a three point run that included kills from Geiger and Melchert. The Prairie Stars hung tough pulling within one point at 12-11, but McKendree rattled off an 11-1 run in which Williams and Voss each put down a pair of kills as the Bearcats rolled to a nine point win in the second set.

The third set was more of the same for McKendree as the Bearcats jumped in front to an early 5-0 lead. The teams played even over the next 20 points as McKendree continued to lead 15-10 before using a 6-1 run to take a commanding 21-11 lead. Williams, Geiger and freshman middle hitter Megan Marks (Colgate, WI/Germantown) each landed a kill down the stretch as the Bearcats completed the 3-0 sweep.