(Lebanon, Ill., Sept. 12) -- The McKendree women's volleyball team opens Great Lakes Valley Conference play with a home contest this Thursday, Sept. 14. The Bearcats will take on the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds at 7 pm at the Harry Statham Sports Center.

McKendree begins GLVC play with an overall record of 5-3, following a successful outing at the Quincy Volleyball Invitational over the weekend. Last season, the Bearcats finished 16-2 in conference matches, and made a run all the way to the GLVC tournament championship game in East Peoria, IL. They also found great success at home, going undefeated at the Harry Statham Sports Center (10-0).

Senior outside hitter Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) currently leads the GLVC in kills, with 111 and kills per set, averaging 3.96. The reigning GLVC Offensive Player of the Week has collected 68 digs this season, and added 18 blocks. Senior right-side hitter Amanda Geiger (Tomball, TX/Concordia Lutheran) is second on the team in kills with 92, averaging 3.29 per set, and is second on the team in digs, averaging 3.07 per set.

Sophomore Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei) has stepped into the libero position, leading the Bearcats in digs with 120, which ranks her seventh overall in the GLVC. She also leads the team in aces, with 8. Junior setter Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) is currently fourth in the GLVC in assists per set, averaging 9.46, and is hitting .388 with 22 kills. She is also third on the team in digs, contributing 81. Senior middle blocker Carissa Lorenz (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way West) leads McKendree in blocking, with 29 total, and has put down 35 kills.

Sophomore middle blocker Megan Marks (Colgate, WI/Germantown) is second on the team in blocks, collecting 23 total, and ranks fourth on McKendree in kills, with 36. Freshman outside hitter Kamryn Carter (Brentwood,TN/Brentwood) is third on the team in kills, recording 37 in her first 8 matches as a Bearcat. Another freshman outside hitter, Elle Russell (Festus, MO/St. Pius X), is fourth on the team in digs, averaging 1.46 per set.

If you are unable to make it to the Harry Statham Sports Center on Thursday night, the match is available for live streaming at http://www.glvcsn.com/mckendree/.
 

Opponent at a glance

The Greyhounds are entering GLVC play with a record of 4-4, and are coming off a 3-1 performance at home during the UIndy Invitational, which was highlighted by a sweep of Grand Valley State University of the GLIAC. Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Irbe leads Indianapolis in kills, with 61, and is second on the team in digs, with 62. Sophomore right-side hitter Julia Kruzan is hitting .304, ranks second on the team in kills, with 50, and has recorded 20 blocks. Freshman libero Olivia Martin is currently fourth in the GLVC in digs per set, averaging 4.96, while senior middle blocker Kailey Kleinert is third in the GLVC in blocks per set, averaging 1.27. This will be the ninth meeting between the two programs, with the series tied at 4 wins a-piece.