(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 1) – The McKendree University women's volleyball team fell to the University of Illinois Springfield, 3-0 on Friday. The Bearcats are now 11-13 overall on the season and 4-6 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

The Bearcats started the night out with a four-point run to open up competition in the first set. Illinois Springfield slowly chipped back at McKendree's early lead going on a five-point run of its own to lead the Bearcats, 20-14. From there the momentum remained with the Prairie Stars as UIS went on to win the first set, 25-16.

McKendree found itself down early to start the second set as UIS went on another five-point to earn an early, 8-2 lead over the Bearcats. Each time McKendree attempted a comeback, Illinois Springfield answered back with a point run of its own, taking the second set 25-16 as well.

The Bearcats and the Prairie Stars started the third set out going point for point but UIS eventually pulled away from McKendree gaining an 11-6 lead. A comeback ensued for the Bearcats with junior outside hitter Elle Russell (Festus, MO/St. Pius X) recording seven of her 12 kills on the night in the third set alone. Despite the strong Bearcat effort, McKendree dropped the third set, 25-22 and the match 3-0 against the Prairie Stars.

Offensive leaders for the Bearcats were Russell, senior middle blocker Megan Marks (Colgate, WI/Germantown), and redshirt sophomore Alexandria Muschong (Woodstock, IL/Woodstock). Russell tallied 12 kills while Marks and Muschong each recorded five. Defensive leaders for McKendree were freshman outside hitter Maddie Misner (Carbondale, IL/Carbondale) and senior libero Alissa Zeitelhack (Overland Park, KS/Blue Valley West), Misner with 13 digs and Zeitelhack with nine.

McKendree will continue its four-game home stand with a match against Lewis University on Saturday at 3 p.m.