HAMMOND, Ind. -- The McKendree women's volleyball team opened the Midwest Regional Crossover tournament with a sweep against Roosevelt University and a four-set victory against Malone University, racking season high performances and outstanding production behind the service line with 33 aces total.
VS. ROOSEVELT:
The Bearcats started match play early at 11:30 a.m., earning a straight set victory over the Lakers (27-25, 25-15, 25-19). The first set of play was seemingly competitive, with each team ebbing momentum throughout the back-and-forth rhythm. The Bearcats outhit the Lakers, hitting .195 with 15 kills to their 0.034. The second set produced similar numbers offensively, but McKendree showed grit behind the service line and earned points before the ball could have the chance to come back on their side of the net. While the Bearcats still possessed momentum throughout the first and the second sets, the third set was sealed with an offensive push, jumping the attack proficiency to 0.346, with 11 kills. McKendree posted 61.0 points, a total of 15 aces, 11 blocks, and 35 kills against the Lakers.
Some notable stat lines from the match against Roosevelt highlight outside Reece Distler with 11 kills and 9 digs. Standout middles Ilana Reeder and Avery Guisinger combined 9 block assists, earning one solo block each.
VS. MALONE:
After a seven-hour break, McKendree established their momentum, recovering from a first set loss to Malone and battling back in four sets (23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16).
The first two sets consisted of both teams chipping away in service runs, but the Bearcats managed to cut their unforced errors to secure the second set, earning back the momentum. Right side hitter Sara Niemburg led the team in kills with a season high of 15, adding one solo block and a block assist. Distler was one short behind her, totaling 14 kills and 13 digs for a double-double, and Reeder contributing 10 kills and five blocks.
Setter Peyton Uptgraft had a stellar performance, marking a new season high of 48 assists, only 4 away from matching her career high. Right Side Mackenzie Yoakum made a significant push from the service line, recording a career-best performance with five aces after establishing her previous best of two in Roosevelt. Defensive specialist Paige Parant followed Distler in digs with 10 total. Finishing with 18 aces and 58 kills, McKendree pulled away from Malone in the third and fourth set, setting the tone and completing the comeback victory.
The Bearcats look to ride the victory high continuing into gameplay tomorrow, facing Purdue Northwest at 9 a.m. at the Sportsplex Center in Hammond, Ind.
