(Lebanon, Ill., Aug. 31) – The McKendree women's volleyball team swept Bentley University 3-0 in the first match then fell to Florida Tech 3-1 in the second to open the Bahama House Labor Day Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Bearcats started out strong with a 3-0 win against Bentley University. It was a close first set that started off with a kill from junior outside hitter Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei). The Bearcats then fell into a minor slump and went down 5-2 but bounced back with a four-point run to tie it back up 6-6 that shifted the momentum. In an eight-point span McKendree had one ace from freshman middle blocker Hope Gramly (Prosper, TX/Prosper) and two from sophomore outside hitter Elle Russell (Festus, MO/St. Pius X). With the set tied up at 17, Gramly had three straight kills for the Bearcats to put McKendree back on top 20-17. After back and forth play the set ended with an ace from Voss for McKendree to take the game 27-25.

Voss started off the second set with a kill as well which helped the Bearcats take an early 8-3 lead with other kills recorded from Gramly and junior middle blocker Megan Marks (Colgate, WI/Germantown). After strong rallies from both teams the Bearcats went on a four-point run to take the lead 16-9 to force a Bentley timeout. In the second half of the set there was a strong offensive presence in the Bearcats squad with Marks, Russell, senior setter Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon), and sophomore middle blocker Alexandria Muschong (Woodstock, IL/Woodstock) all recording kills. McKendree ended up taking set two 25-20 off of a Gramly kill.

McKendree powered through the third set 25-13 to clinch the sweep against the Falcons. The Bearcats had three back to back kills to gain early momentum by Marks and Voss. After five back to back sideouts, McKendree went on a six-point run with kills from Gramly and Russell, who also had a block solo. The Bearcats sealed the third set victory will a kill from Voss.

Defense remained strong throughout the match with freshman libero Annika Beal's (Belleville, IL/Althoff Catholic) 17 digs. She had support from Russell with 12 digs and Voss with 10.

The Bearcats were defeated by Florida Tech 3-1 in the second match of the day. In a close opening set, McKendree found themselves trailing 5-2 but come back strong with kills from Gramly and Russell. The set remained close as back and forth play commenced until the Bearcats found themselves at another deficit. McKendree went on a four-point run late in the set to make it a 24-21 game but it was too late as Florida Tech sealed the set 25-21.

McKendree opened up set two strong with a four-point run with kills from Gramly and Muschong to gain a 6-3 lead early on. With the Bearcats still leading they had three back to back kills from Gramly and Russell that forced a Florida Tech timeout. The Panthers never regained a lead since the set was tied 8-8. McKendree took the set, 25-20 off a Voss kill.

In set three the Bearcats had an early five-point run with an ace from Russell and a kill by Gramly. The Panthers come back to make it a 9-8 game but the Bearcats go on a three-point run to lead it 12-8. Florida Tech goes on a four-point run to force a McKendree timeout. With the game tied up at 16 freshman middle blocker McKenna Ross (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek) and Gramly have back to back kills to take the lead 19-17. The Bearcats couldn't hold on and lost, 25-22.

Set four was filled with much back and forth point play for the Bearcats and the Panthers. McKendree went on a four-point run with a kill from Muschong and a service ace from Melchert to take a 10-8 lead. With the score tied up at 15 the Bearcats go on another four-point run with three back to back kills from Voss and one by Melchert. A lot of back and forth play occurred and the Panthers take the lead 24-22 to force a McKendree timeout. The Bearcats tie it up after kills from Russell and Marks. McKendree goes on to take a 26-25 lead after kills from Melchert and Voss but falls just short to the Panthers, 28-26.

The Bearcat defense put up a valiant effort in the second match with Voss leading the team with 18 digs. Beal and Melchert weren't far behind with 16 digs each. Melchert also had a notable 50 assists.

McKendree will resume Bahama House Labor Day Classic play Saturday Sept. 1, against Eckerd College at 11 a.m. ET.