(KENOSHA, Wisc., Sept. 13) – The McKendree University women's volleyball team went 1-1 on the first day of the Parkside Hampton Inn Invitational in Kenosha, Wisc. The Bearcats fell to Winona State, 3-0 and then earned a reverse sweep against Purdue University-Northwest, 3-2.
McKendree dropped the first set of the day in a close matchup against Winona State, 25-22. The Warriors took a commanding lead in the second set and never lost it, defeating the Bearcats, 25-14. Momentum helped carry Winona State to a 3-0 win over McKendree with a 25-22 third set win.
The second match of the day for the Bearcats started with a 25-23 loss to University of Purdue-Northwest. The Pride claimed the second set over McKendree as well, 25-22. The Bearcats regrouped and came out with force in the third set to overpower Purdue-Northwest, 25-19 and keep the match going. From there, McKendree remained on top for the rest of the match defeating the Pride, 25-15 in the fourth set and 15-9 in the fifth set to claim the 3-2 victory.
Freshman squad members
Amanda Tippett (O'Fallon, MO./St. Dominic ) and
Maddie Misner (Carbondale, IL/Carbondale) were atop of the McKendree leaderboard in the first match against Winona State. Tippett collected 16 digs to lead the defense as libero while Misner earned nine kills to power the offense as an outside hitter. Sophomore middle blocker
Hope Gramly (Prosper, TX/Prosper) and senior middle blocker
Megan Marks (Colgate, WI/Germantown) were also heavy contributors to the Bearcat offense, Gramly with eight kills and Marks with seven.
In the second set, McKendree accomplished many impressive feats and new personal bests. Junior outside hitter
Elle Russell (Festus, MO/St. Pius X) and senior outside hitter
Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei) both earned double doubles, Russell leading the offense with 21 kills, a personal best, and 10 digs and Voss with 16 kills and 20 digs, which led the defense. Gramly with 14 kills and Misner with 13 were also impact players on the offensive side of things for McKendree. Defensively, Tippett and junior setter
Gracie Marr (Castle Rock, CO/Castle View) were pivotal in the Bearcats' victory, Tippett with 18 digs and Marr with 17. Marr also recorded a personal best 59 assists in the match.
McKendree will continue Parkside Hampton Inn Invitational competition tomorrow, Sept. 14, with a match against Upper Iowa University at 10:15 a.m. and then Parkside at 7:15 p.m.
