The McKendree University women's volleyball team closed out its regular season Saturday afternoon against University Illinois-Springfield. The Bearcats improved to 6-10 (6-10 in GLVC) after defeating the Prairie Stars in three-straight sets (25-22, 26-24, 25-22).
Before the first serve,
Nickie Sanlin and her team recognized five seniors and their accomplishments to the McKendree University women's volleyball program. This seniors included
Gracie Marr,
Carissa Smith,
Alex Tinnin,
Elle Russell, and
Alexandria Muschong.
McKendree started off slow in the opening set, down 7-2. A kill by
Maddie Misner ignited a four-point run to get her team ahead. Another run started by
Brianna Binder, followed by two service aces from
Alex Tinnin was the momentum boost their team needed. A kill by
Colleen Preusser sealed the first set for the bearcats 25-22.
The second set played out with a majority of back-and-forth scoring, neither team getting ahead by more than three points. Down by four late in the set, a kill by Preusser would spark a run to tie the set at 23. The bearcats would take three of the final four points for the 26-24 set win.
McKendree played very scrappy but efficient throughout the third set, finding any way to get the ball over the net. The score was very close until the Bearcats started to put away following a kill by Preusser. From that lead, the Bearcats held were able to control the game until Binder nailed a kill from the outside. McKendree would take the set 25-22, and the match 3-0.
The Bearcats recorded 39 kills with a .180 hitting percentage, and eight service aces.
Brianna Binder led both teams with 12 kills, while adding in two blocks.
Colleen Preusser had 10 kills, two service aces and 12 digs.
Maddie Misner led the defense with 14 digs, along with eight kills and two blocks.
Claire Diercks recorded three blocks with one assist, while
Gracie Marr added in 33 assists.
McKendree will begin the postseason at the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Championships. The tournament runs Apr. 15 – 17 in East Peoria, Ill.
pictured from left to right: Marr family, Smith family, Tinnin family, Russell family, and Muschong family.
