(Romeoville, Ill., Nov. 3) -- The McKendree University women's volleyball team suffered its first Great Lakes Valley Conference loss of the season at the hands of the #4 Lewis University Flyers on Friday night. With the loss, the Bearcats fall to 19-6 on the season, and 13-1 in the GLVC.

Senior outside hitter Arela Williams led McKendree in kills, compiling 17, and also contributed 18 digs. Senior Amanda Geiger led the Bearcats with 23 digs, and added 15 kills. Sophomore libero Kelly Voss collected 19 digs, while junior setter Morgan Melchert recorded 44 assists.

The Flyers opened a 9-3 advantage early in the first set, forcing McKendree to call a time-out. The Bearcats only got within four points of the lead the rest of the set, with Lewis taking it 25-17. Eizabeth Hyland and Aly Schneider both picked up five kills in the set for the Flyers.

A service ace for Williams gave the Bearcats a 19-14 lead in the second set, as they were attempting to even up the match at 1-1. The Flyers didn't make it easy, as they then went on a 5-1 scoring run, to cut that lead to just one point. McKendree regrouped, and prevailed in the second, 25-22, with Williams and Geiger both putting away four kills in the set.

The third set was a back and forth battle, with Lewis edging the Bearcats 25-23 for the 2-1 lead. McKendree scored the last five points of the fourth to take the set 25-19, forcing a decisive fifth set. The Flyers grabbed the momentum early in the fifth, taking a 10-6 lead, in route to a 3-2 victory in the match.

The Bearcats will take on the University of Wisconsin Parkside Rangers tomorrow afternoon in Kenosha. Live online video coverage of the match is available on the GLVC Sports Network starting at 3 pm.