(Lebanon, Ill., Oct. 20) – The McKendree University women's volleyball team improved to 16-5 overall and 10-0 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play with a sweep of the William Jewell College Cardinals (8-15, 2-8 GLVC). The Bearcats held the Cardinals to a .010 hitting percentage as a team, and picked up 18 total blocks, for an average of six per set.

Senior Carissa Lorenz (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way West) and sophomore Megan Marks (Colgate, WI/Germantown) combined for 10 blocks, with Marks putting away six kills and hitting .500. Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) led the Bearcats in kills, recording ten, with Amanda Geiger (Tomball, TX/Concordia Lutheran) close behind, picking up nine. The senior from Tomball, TX contributed 12 digs, to lead her team on the night. Setter Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) had 29 assists and 8 digs, while sophomore Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei) collected 11 digs.

McKendree opened the first set with a 12-5 advantage, which the Cardinals would chip away at, cutting it to 14-11. The Bearcats responded ferociously, scoring the next six points to bust the score wide open on their way to a 25-17 opening set win.

???????McKendree picked up the final three points of the second set, to polish it off 25-19. A kill for Geiger put it away, giving the Bearcats the 2-0 lead. The third set was much of the same, as McKendree grabbed the momentum early, and built a 20-13 lead, with the help of a strong blocking presence at the net. The Bearcats would seal the deal on the sweep shortly thereafter.

The Bearcats are back in action tomorrow, as they host the GLVC West leading Rockhurst University Hawks at 3 pm. Links to both live stats and the GLVC Sports Network live stream can be found on the McKendree women's volleyball schedule at mckbearcats.com.