(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 27) – The McKendree University women's volleyball team celebrated three seniors from the 2018 team before its 3-0 loss to Lewis University on Saturday. The Bearcats are now 14-13 overall on the season and 8-7 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

McKendree was neck-and-neck with the Flyers in the first set but Lewis was able to push ahead and come out on the winning side of set one, 25-23. The Bearcats started the second set the same as the first with point-for-point play but the Flyers managed a five-point run late in the set to help them gather the 25-18 win. With momentum on their side the Flyers took the third set 25-18 and the match, 3-0.

Freshman right side McKenna Ross (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek) led the Bearcat offense with 10 kills, junior outside hitter Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei) was next with seven, and junior middle blocker Megan Marks (Colgate, WI/Germantown) was close behind with six recorded kills. Senior setter Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) set McKendree's offense up 26 times throughout the match for her final game at the Harry Statham Sports Center.

Sophomore defensive specialist Alex Tinnin (Festus, MO/Festus) and Melchert led the defensive efforts for the Bearcats, each with 12 digs recorded. Sophomore Elle Russell (Festus, MO/St. Pius X) and Voss were also key defensive players, Voss recording nine digs for the Bearcats and Russell with seven. Marks led the Bearcats' defense at the net with one solo block and two block assists on the match.

McKendree will return to action Tuesday. Oct. 30 in St. Louis, Mo., to take on the Saints of Maryville University at 7 p.m.