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(Lebanon, Ill., Nov. 27) -- The McKendree University women's volleyball team has earned the #5 seed in the upcoming NCAA Division II Tournament Midwest Regional. They will match-up with the #4 seed Ferris State University Bulldogs in the first round on Thursday at 5 pm in Romeoville, Illinois. It the second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history for the Bearcats, who first qualified back in 2014.

McKendree is currently 23-8 on the season, winning 20 games for the fourth straight year, and finishing 16-2 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play, winning the inaugural Central Division title. The Bearcats placed three players on the All-GLVC First Team, in senior right-side hitter Amanda Geiger, senior outside hitter Arela Williams and junior setter Morgan Melchert.

Geiger was also named the conference player of the year, and is averaging 3.88 kills per set and 3.41 digs per set. Williams is the all-time program leader in kills, and leads the GLVC in in that category, averaging 4.52 per set, along with 327 digs. Melchert is averaging more than ten assists per set, and has collected 378 digs on the season.

Senior middle Carissa Lorenz is the team leader in blocking, compiling 141 total blocks, while sophomore Megan Marks has contributed 120, to go with 167 kills. Another sophomore, libero Kelly Voss, is averaging 4.17 digs per set, leading all Bearcats in that category. 

All seven Midwest Region matches will be hosted by Lewis University at the Neil Carey Arena, with the regional semifinals taking place on Friday, and concluding with the regional championship on Saturday at 7 pm, with live video available online on the GLVC Sports Network.
 

Ferris State University Bulldogs (23-7 overall, 19-6 vs Midwest Region opponents)

The #20 nationally-ranked Bulldogs are making their seventh straight appearance in the NCAA Division II Volleyball Tournament, and won their fourth straight conference championship last week. They are currently ranked second in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in kills per set (13.57) and blocks per set (2.42).

Sophomore outside hitter Allyson Cappel was named the 2017 GLIAC Player of the Year, and is second in the conference in kills per set, averaging 3.77. The native of Tinley Park, IL has collected 297 digs, for an average of 3.13 per set. Senior middle Ayanna Buckley joined Cappel on the All-GLIAC First Team, as she leads the Bulldogs in total blocks, with 93, and is averaging 2.84 kills per set.

Maria Kronner leads the GLIAC in attack percentage, hitting .360 with 258 kills. The senior middle hitter has also recorded 92 total blocks on the year. Setter Maeve Grimes has contributed 1,187 assists for a per-set average of 11.41, and has added 217 digs and 49 total blocks. Libero Lauren Reminga is averaging 5.11 digs per set, which places her second overall in the conference.

The Bulldogs are 3-0 against the Bearcats, with their last meeting taking place on 9/10/16 in West Palm Beach, FL.