(Kirksville, MO, Sept. 23) -- The McKendree University women's volleyball team kept their winning streak alive, taking down Great Lakes Valley Conference foe Truman State University (5-7, 1-2) in five sets (27-25, 23-25, 25-19, 17-25, 15-11). It marked the first time that the Bearcats and Bulldogs have met since they played against each other in the GLVC Tournament Championship game last season, which was won by Truman State. The victory makes it seven in a row for the Bearcats, who improve to 8-3 overall on the year, and 3-0 in GLVC play.

The Bearcats were led offensively by the senior duo of outside hitter Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) and right-side hitter Amanda Geiger (Tomball, TX/Concordia Lutheran), who combined for 66.2% of their teams kills. Williams led McKendree in kills, with 23, and added seven digs and three total blocks. Geiger posted a double-double, with 20 kills and 25 digs, and led the team in blocking. 

Junior setter Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) posted a season-high in assists, collecting 59. She also contributed 18 digs, which placed her third on the team in that category for the match. Sophomore libero Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei) also recorded a season-high by earning a team best 33 digs.

Finding themselves down 11-10 in the first, the Bearcats strung together four straight points to take an early three point lead. The Bulldogs would take the lead back, ultimately building a 23-20 advantage following a McKendree attack error. The Bearcats responded well, ending on a 7-2 run to take the first set 27-25. The second set was just as close, as both teams battled to a 20-20 tie. Truman State was able to outlast McKendree, winning the set by scoring the final three points, and evening up the match at one set a-piece.

The next two sets were controlled by each team, with the Bearcats taking down the Bulldogs in the third by six points, and Truman State responding with an eight point victory in the fourth, forcing a fifth and final set. McKendree came out of the gate firing on all cylinders in the fifth set, scoring six of the first seven points. Truman State cut the lead to just two at 10-8, but that was as close as they would get to the lead, as Arela Williams sealed the win for the Bearcats with her eighth kill of the set.

The McKendree women's volleyball team is back in action on Tuesday, as they travel to St. Louis to take on the Maryville Saints at 7 pm in a GLVC Central Division match up. You can watch the match live by going to http://www.glvcsn.com/maryville/.