(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 6) – The McKendree University women's volleyball team opens its 2018 home season on Friday, Sept. 7, against Lindenwood University at 7 p.m. The Bearcats will then begin Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play the following day in Springfield, Ill. against University of Illinois Springfield at 3 p.m.

McKendree enters the weekend with an overall record of 4-4 after going 2-2 in back-to-back weekend tournaments. Last season, the Bearcats finished 23-9 overall, 16-2 in conference play, and made it to the semi-finals of the GLVC Tournament. Their strong conference appearance earned them a spot in the NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament where they took on nationally-ranked Ferris State University.

Lindenwood University comes to Lebanon at 7-1 after sweeping opponents in the Lindenwood Invitational and going 3-1 in the Augustana Tournament to open its 2018 season. The Lions are a part of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).

The University of Illinois Springfield is 5-3 on the 2018 season thus far after going 2-2 at the Capital Classic that they hosted and after finishing 3-1 at the Warrior Invitational. Saturday's match will open up GLVC play for both institutions.

Freshman middle blocker Hope Gramly (Prosper, TX/Prosper) leads the Bearcats' offense with 113 kills on the season, landing her eighth in the conference in kills. Gramly is also ranked fourth in points in the GLVC with 137 points earned for the Bearcats. Leading McKendree in blocks is junior middle blocker Megan Marks (Colgate, WI/Germantown) and Gramly with a combined 57 blocks. The Bearcats' defense is led by junior outside hitter Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei) who has 102 digs in the 2018 campaign thus far. Senior setter Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) has a noteable 333 assists going into regular season play this weekend.

The Bearcats will host their first home GLVC match against University of Southern Indiana at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center.