BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - McKendree University women's volleyball closed out the first day of the Ferris State Invitational, where it dropped the first two matches of the season. The Bearcats narrowly lost their first match of the invitational to Davenport, 2-3, and struggled in its second match versus Winona State, losing 0-3.

Versus Davenport:
The Bearcats went down two sets to none to begin the contest but fought back to tie the match at two sets each. Set one and two were highlighted by McKendree struggled to effectively attack with sub-par hitting percentages while Davenport ignited its offense early in the match.Senior middle blocker Hope Gramly provided a spark to the Bearcats in the first match, bombarding the Panthers with 19 kills on a .351 attack percentage. The offensive spark from Gramly helped sophomore outside hitters Brianna Binder and Colleen Preusser cut through the Panther defense as well. Preusser ammassed 14 kills and 17.0 points, while Binder added 12 kills and 14.5 points. Facilitating the McKendree offense forward throughout the match was setter Macy Tongate, who dished out 47 assists while she coordinated the Bearcats' attack, which recorded 54 kills in the five-set loss. 

On the defensive side, the Bearcats held the line with an across the board effort as four players laying our for double-digit digs and five thwarting at least one opposing attack. The dig efforts were led by Binder, who collected 14 while adding in four blocks. Binder was followed by junior libero Amanda Tippett who laid out for 13 digs in the match. 

In the fifth set, the two teams clashed but Davenport claimed the win in the lengthened set, 16-14.

Versus Winona State (RV):
McKendree struggled to gain solid footing against the Warriors, as the Bearcats hit poorly throughout the three-set loss. Winona State bombarded the McKendree defense and posted an attack percentage of .354 with 42 kills. Gramly, again, led the offense of the Bearcats with seven kills while Binder and Preusser both amassed five. The Bearcats attack found difficulty with the Warriors net defense and finished the three-set match with 23 attacking errors. 

NOTES:
Senior Hope Gramly amassed 26 kills, 29.5 points, two blocks, and two service aces over the two-match, eight-set day. Gramly is averaging 3.25 kills and 3.69 points per set. 

Setter Macy Tongate dished out a total of 62 assists (7.75 per set) on 75 McKendree kills through the two matches on Friday.

UP NEXT:
McKendree women's volleyball returns to action on Saturday, September 4, against St. Leo (11:30 AM ET) and Tiffin (2 PM ET) on the final day of the Ferris State Invitational.

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