(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 6) – The McKendree University women's volleyball team went 1-1 on the second day of the Ferris State Invitational in Big Rapids, Mich., on Friday. The Bearcats started off the day by defeating Gannon University, 3-2 but then fell to tournament host No. 12 Ferris State, 3-1.

McKendree opened its first set of the day with a 25-21 victory over Gannon University. From there, the Bearcats made a few minor errors that the Golden Knights capitalized on to win the second set, 25-20 and the third set, 25-21. McKendree regrouped and put in a hard fought battle to top Gannon, 28-26 and force a fifth set. The Bearcats then went on to defeate the Golden Knights 15-11 in set five to win the match, 3-2.

The Bearcats began the second match of the day with fire in their feet as they defeated No. 12 Ferris State in extra points, 26-24. The Bulldogs rebounded and evened the match out with a 25-16 win in the second set and maintained the momentum throughout the remainder of the match winning both the third and fourth sets, 25-21.

Junior outside hitter Elle Russell (Festus, MO/St. Pius X) was the star offensive player of the day with 34 total kills, eight of which were scored in the fifth set against Gannon. Seniors Megan Marks (Colgate, WI/Germantown) and Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei) were also key offensive players for the Bearcats, Marks with 20 kills on the day and Voss with 21.

Defensive efforts for the day were spread across the board for McKendree with freshman libero Amanda Tippett (O'Fallon, MO./St. Dominic ) leading the way with 29 total digs. Russell, freshman Maddie Misner (Carbondale, IL/Carbondale), and Voss were also essential players on the back line for the Bearcats. Russell put up 23 digs, Misner recorded 19, and Voss tallied 24.

Action will continue for the Bearcats tomorrow, Sept. 7, as they wrap up the Ferris State Invitational with a match against Bemidji State University at 1 p.m. ET in Big Rapids, Mich.