LEBANON, Ill. – The Bearcats are set to travel to Hammond, Ind. this weekend, Oct. 17-18, for three total matches at the Midwest Region Crossover. The Midwest Region Crossover host teams from the GLIAC, GMAC, and GLVC in a tournament that provides a break in respective conference competition at the midpoint of the seasons. McKendree is scheduled to play Purdue University Northwest, Northwood University, and Malone University.
McKendree will face the Pride of Purdue University Northwest on Oct. 17 at 2:00 pm followed by the Timberwolves of Northwood University at 7:00 pm. The Pride is a part of the GLIAC conference while the Timberwolves are in the GMAC conference. On Oct. 18 at 11:30 am, the Bearcats will compete against the Pioneers of Malone University who are in the GMAC conference.
Coming off a devastating five-set loss at Upper Iowa, McKendree is sitting at a record of 4-13. Senior outside hitter Destiny Gray has been and continues to be the offensive leader and go to player for the Bearcats. Gray is currently at 187 kills, averaging 3.22 kills/set, all while hitting at a .178 percent. On the defensive end, senior libero Ashlyn Berczynski is McKendree's leader with 305 digs currently, averaging 5.26 digs/set.
The Bearcats last saw Purdue Northwest earlier in the season at the McKendree Invitational where the Pride came out victorious in three sets. Purdue Northwest is entering this weekend with a 7-7 record, coming off a win. Senior opposite Arra Cottrell leads the Pride offensively with 148 kills. Cottrell is closely followed by junior outside hitter Anika Huelskamp and senior outside hitter Allyson Cathey with 143 and 140 kills respectively. Defensively, senior defensive specialist/libero Livia Thomsen leads the way with 195 digs.
McKendree and Northwood's only match up was in 2023 where the Bearcats won 3-1. The Timberwolves are currently 5-8 coming into this weekend being led offensively by redshirt senior outside hitter Sage Kissman. Kissman has 176 kills on the season so far. Junior defensive specialist Laney Kokaly leads the defensive efforts with 218 digs.
The last match up between the Bearcats and the Pioneers was last season (2024) where the Bearcats came out on top in three sets. McKendree has faced Malone six times dating back to 2018. The Bearcats have taken five out of the six games, holding a 5-1 record in the history of his match up. The Pioneers are sitting with a 5-10 record at this point in the season. Junior middle hitter Jaymes Gilbert is the offensive leader with 119 kills. Gilbert is followed by her middle hitter counterpart junior Brianne Salinas with 101 kills. The defensive efforts are led by freshman defensive specialist Madalyn Coblentz who has 155 digs on the season.
For more information on the Midwest Region Crossover, please visit the tournament website.
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