(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 7) – The McKendree University women's volleyball team loses its home opener match 3-1 against Lindenwood University. The Bearcats will begin Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play tomorrow against University of Illinois Springfield at 3 p.m. in Springfield, Ill.
"The result is not necessarily what we wanted but Lindenwood is very talented and our ladies showed a lot of fight in sets three and four," said Nickie Sanlin. "I was very impressed with how our team regained composure, both mental and physical, to make that type of push in the last two sets. I am extremely proud of our fight tonight and we look forward to getting started with GLVC play tomorrow."
The Bearcats were defeated by the Lions in the opening set 25-17 and despite a late surge in set two they fell 25-18 in game two. McKendree and Lindenwood went point for point to open set three but the Bearcats went on to take a five-point run to take the lead. The Bearcats held on to the lead and finished off the set on a four-point run to defeat the Lions 25-19. McKendree remained neck and neck with Lindenwood in the fourth set but the Lions managed to pull ahead late in the set to take it 25-22.
McKendree's offensive efforts were led by freshman middle blocker
Hope Gramly (Prosper, TX/Prosper) who acquired 13 kills and junior outside hitter
Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei) who had 11. Sophomore outside hitter
Elle Russell (Festus, MO/St. Pius X) was close behind with her nine kills. Junior middle blockers
Baily Craig (Aurora, NE/Giltner) and
Megan Marks (Colgate, WI/Germantown) led the blocking efforts for the Bearcats with Craig's 5 block assists and Marks one block solo and 4 block assists.
Russell and Voss proved their wide ranged skillset as they also led the defense for the Bearcats. Russell powered the back line with 15 digs and Voss remained strong with 12. Junior libero
Alissa Zeitelhack (Overland Park, KS/Blue Valley West) also played a large role in the defensive efforts with 10 digs.
The Bearcats will return home next Tuesday to take on the University of Southern Indiana in their first home GLVC match at 7 p.m.
