SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - McKendree University women's volleyball defeated Drury University 3-1 on Saturday afternoon to conclude the 2023 season. The Bearcats finish the season 15-12 overall, six wins better than the 2022 record of 9-16.
Drury edged out McKendree in the first with a high-scoring set of 26-24. The Bearcats reversed the momentum, taking three straight sets 25-18, 25-19, and 25-17.
Junior setter Amber Williams delivered 42 assists and claimed 11 digs for her 19th double-double of the season. Williams ends the 2023 season ranked fifth in the GLVC for assists. Sophomore outside hitter Destiny Gray topped the kill charts for McKendree, swinging for 16 kills while fellow sophomore outside hitter Lauren Harris tallied 11 kills and 12 digs in the win.
Senior right-side hitter Colleen Preusser and sophomore libero Ashlyn Berczynski each accounted for 18 digs. Senior defensive specialist Maddie Misner added 13 digs. On the blocks, senior middle blocker Lauren McCurley posted five total; she claims the No.4 spot in the GLVC regular season for blocks per set. senior middle blocker Claire Diercks and Williams each claimed a solo block.
McKendree head coach Nickie Sanlin commented on the team's end of season. "After a challenging start to conference play, the team showed great resilience winning eight of the last eleven matches," said Sanlin. "I'm extremely proud of the commitment the team showed to getting better each day! Thank you to the seniors for the dedication to the program and I know they will thrive in their stage of life after their time here at McKendree."
