LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University women's volleyball kicks off its Great Lakes Valley Conference schedule this weekend with two matches at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. The Bearcats face off against No. 25-ranked Rockhurst University on Friday evening at 6 p.m. followed by a 3 p.m. match on Saturday against William Jewell College.  

McKendree currently holds a 7-4 overall record following three tournament outings. Most recently, McKendree hosted an invitational where they posted a 2-2 record with wins over Harding University and the University of Illinois-Springfield. In GLVC standings, McKendree ranks second in digs per set and third in assists per set. Individually, junior setter Amber Williams sits at No. 12 nationally in assists per set.  

The Hawks have been off to a strong start for the season, collecting a 9-1 overall record to rank No. 25 in the latest AVCA Coaches' Poll. Rockhurst is on a five-game win streak, their only loss from Lynn University earlier this month. A big blocking presence has helped the Hawks as freshman middle blocker Ali Olson leads the GLVC with 1.17 blocks per set while sophomore middle blocker Sydney Raszler holds the No. 3 spot at 1.03 blocks per set.  

After the first few weeks of the season, the Cardinals sport a 5-6 overall record heading into the first conference weekend. They will take on the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Friday night prior to facing off with the Bearcats. Returning for the Cardinals and leading in kills is junior outside hitter Bella LaPorta who is averaging 4.59 kills per set to rank No. 3 in the GLVC so far.  

This weekend, McKendree women's volleyball will hold a special event for each of the home games. Friday's game is Mental Health Awareness night while Saturday's game is Volleyball Inclusion night aimed to encourage that "volleyball is for everyone."  

All GLVC home games are streamed via GLVCsn.com/mckendree on a pay-per-view basis.