(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 19) - The McKendree University women's volleyball team defeated Quincy University 3-1 in Quincy, Ill., Friday night. The Bearcats improve to 13-10 overall on the season and 7-4 in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) action. 

McKendree was fresh on its feet to start the match with a 25-15 victory in the first set, Momentum and a powerful offense carried the Bearcats to a 25-21 win over the Hawks in the second set. Quincy was able to clinch the third set 25-19 over McKendree to force a fourth set but the Bearcats remained strong as a team to defeat the Hawks 25-20 in the fourth set and collect the 3-1 conference win.

Offensive efforts were powered by freshman middle blocker Hope Gramly (Prosper, TX/Prosper), junior outside hitter Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei), and junior middle blocker Megan Marks (Colgate, WI/Germantown). Gramly and Voss led the pack with 13 kills each, Marks was close behind with 12, and freshman outside hitter McKenna Ross (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek) had a notable eight kills. Senior setter Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) set up the Bearcats offensively 47 times throughout the match.

Defensive efforts were led by sophomore defensive specialist Alex Tinnin (Festus, MO/Festus) who had a personal season high of 25 digs. Melchert, Voss, and sophomore outside hitter Elle Russell (Festus, MO/St. Pius X) were key contributors to the Bearcats defense as well. Melchert has 15 digs on the night, Voss had 18, and Russell had 11. At the net for McKendree's defense was Marks, Gramly, and junior middle blocker Baily Craig (Aurora, NE/Giltner). Gramly and Craig each had three total blocks on the night while Marks had two total. 

The Bearcats will continue GLVC competition tomorrow at Kirksville, Mo., as they take on Truman State University at 3 p.m.