The McKendree University women's volleyball team closed out another Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Triangular weekend Saturday afternoon, facing Maryville. The Bearcats advance to 5-5 (5-5 in GLVC) after taking down the Saints in five sets (21-25, 25-12, 25-19, 19-25, 17-15).

McKendree focused on its serving and moved the offense around towards the second half of the first set, to chip away at its deficit to Maryville. The Bearcats would utilize all three contacts in the final push of the opening set, but the Saints would win 25-21.

Maryville put up a big block in the second set, forcing McKendree to change its offensive shot selection. The Bearcats would answer back with more consistent serving and moving their offense around to build up a 10-point lead. The Bearcats would not look back after getting into a working rhythm to take the second set, 25-12.

In the third set, both sides attacked the ball heavily along with the defense picking up whatever got past the block. The Bearcats were able to work off of the energy from winning long rallies with the Saints for the 25-19 win.

McKendree started the set off strong, playing through the long rallies and the defense keeping the ball alive. But it was Maryville's momentum surge late in the fourth set that carried them to a 25-19 win.

Neither team would let the other score more than consecutive points in the final set, and the score was tied on 12 occasions. It came down to the wire, where a double block by Gracie Marr (Castle Rock, CO/Castle View) and Alexandria Muschong (Woodstock, IL/Woodstock) would win it for the Bearcats. McKendree took the set 17-15 and the match 3-2.

McKendree ended the match with 55 kills with a .097 hitting percentage, and 18 service aces. Leading the way for both teams was Colleen Preusser (St. Charles, MO/Lutheran) who had 15 kills and 17 digs. Brianna Binder (Littleton, CO/Dakota Ridge) had 11 kills during the game, along with four service aces and 16 digs. Alexandria Muschong (Woodstock, IL/Woodstock) had 10 kills, and led with three blocks. Gracie Marr (Castle Rock, CO/Castle View) had three blocks along with 44 assists. Amanda Tippett (Forestill, MO/St. Dominic) continued to lead the defense with 23 digs, and added two service aces.

Nickie Sanlin and her team will be back in the Harry M. Statham Sports Center for its next scheduled GLVC Triangular. McKendree will face Drury and University of Missouri-St. Louis on Saturday, Mar. 13, with the first serve scheduled for 11:00 AM.