(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 2) – The McKendree University women's volleyball team swept the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), 3-0 on the road. The Bearcats improve to 10-8 overall on the season and 6-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

McKendree started off the match slow, finding themselves at a 17-10 deficit to the Tritons in the first set. The Bearcats gained momentum off a kill from senior setter Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) and then a block by Melchert and junior middle blocker Megan Marks (Colgate, WI/Germantown). McKendree fought back until the set was tied even at 19, which forced an UMSL timeout. From there the Bearcats went on a five-point run and overpowered the Tritons 25-20 in the first set.

The second set began with back and forth rally play until the Tritons went on a three-point run to take a 7-4 lead over the Bearcats. McKendree fought back and went on a three-point run of their own to tie the set up at 7-7. Later in the set, the Bearcats went on a seven-point run, their longest of the match, to gain a 17-13 lead over UMSL. McKendree took the set 25-21 despite late offensive efforts from the Tritons.

With momentum on their side, the Bearcats exploded offensively in the third set with kills recorded by Marks, junior middle blocker Baily Craig (Aurora, NE/Giltner), freshman middle blocker Hope Gramly (Prosper, TX/Prosper), freshman outside hitter McKenna Ross (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek), and junior outside hitter Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei). McKendree defeated the Tritons 25-19 to clinch the 3-0 sweep.

Offensive efforts for the Bearcats were led by Voss who recorded 14 kills on the night, next was Gramly with 11, and Marks was not far behind with eight. In the three set sweep, Melchert was able to rack up 39 total assists.

The Bearcats defense was powered by junior outside hitter Elle Russell's (Festus, MO/St. Pius X) 18 digs and junior libero Alissa Zeitelhack's (Overland Park, KS/Blue Valley West) 15. Both Melchert and sophomore defensive specialist Alex Tinnin (Festus, MO/Festus) had notable performances, Melchert with 10 digs and Tinnin with nine. Melchert led the defensive efforts at the net with three total blocks. Craig, Marks, and Voss were all key defensive players at the net as well, each recording two total blocks on the night.

McKendree will return to action at home on Saturday Oct. 6 for its Dig Pink match against the University of Illinois Springfield at 5 p.m.