(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 8) – The McKendree University women's volleyball team defeated Southern Indiana, 3-0 on Tuesday to improve to 7-9 overall on the season and 2-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

The Bearcats opened the match with velocity, collecting 18 of their 25 points off of kills for a team hitting percentage of .405 to defeat the Screaming Eagles, 25-20 in set one. McKendree obtained a .478 hitting percentage in the second set with 13 team kills to beat Southern Indiana 25-23.

The Screaming Eagles scored early and often to open the third set, going up 12-4 over the Bearcats at the biggest point deficit. McKendree answered back and slowly chipped away at Southern Indiana's lead going on two four-point runs, eventually tying the set up at 16-16. The Bearcats and Screaming Eagles fought back-and-forth with McKendree coming out on top, 25-23 to collect the, 3-0 sweep.

As a team, the Bearcats recorded a hitting percentage of .333 percent on the match tallying a total of 43 kills. Offensively, McKendree also collected six service aces in the three set match. Defensively, the Bearcats earned eight blocks in comparison to the four that the Screaming Eagles tallied. McKendree also out-numbered Southern Indiana in total digs, 40-26.

Sophomore middle blocker Hope Gramly (Prosper, TX/Prosper) led the Bearcats with a .600 hitting percentage and 11 kills on the night. Gramly also recorded one solo block and five block assists in the match to support the Bearcats' defense. Junior outside hitter Elle Russell (Festus, MO/St. Pius X) was also an essential player in McKendree's win tallying 12 kills for a .320 hitting percentage, seven digs, and six block assists. Junior setter Gracie Marr (Castle Rock, CO/Castle View) assisted the Bearcats 39 times in the three set match to help lead McKendree to victory.

The Bearcats will close out their four-game home stand with a match against Lindenwood University on Thursday Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.