BELLEVILLE, Ill. - McKendree University beach volleyball recorded its first program win against Southwest Baptist on Saturday at the Silver Creek Saloon in Belleville, Ill. McKendree won four of the five flights for a score of 4-1. 

Two McKendree pairs took the victory in two sets as freshmen Brooke Junker and Megan Diercks posted scores of 21-8 and 23-21 in the No.4 match. Additionally, junior Brynne Luebbers and freshman Kloi Karban sealed the No.5 match win by scores of 23-21 and 21-18.  

Senior Maddie Misner and junior Michelle Ramirez took the No.1 match to three sets. The duo dropped the first set 14-21 but recorded scores of 21-19 and 15-11 in sets two and three. In the No.3 match, juniors Jessica Hickel and Hannah Parisio fell in the first set 18-21 but claimed the next two 21-20 and 15-9.  

McKendree's lone loss came in the No.2 match as junior Lauren McCurley and sophomore Amber Williams fell in two close sets, 18-21 and 17-21.  

Head coach Bob Vollmer on the win: 
"We needed this win. We have been playing a very hard schedule against a lot of great teams. Today, we stayed strong and focused on getting better. This is a great group to pilot the beach volleyball program at McKendree." 

Coming up, the Bearcats will be back in action on Tuesday, April 11 at Missouri Baptist University.