ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The McKendree women's volleyball team battled two Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) opponents today, falling to University of Central Missouri 3-1 and Missouri Western State University 3-0 Saturday, Sept. 12th.
Vs. University of Central Missouri
The Bearcats started fresh against the Jennies in the first matchup of the day, taking advantage of their opponents' back-to-back scheduled match. Each of the teams were chipping away in first ball side out opportunities, going point-for-point and keeping the match tight until the Jennies pulled away in the final points of the first set, ending 25-21.
The Bearcats emerged out of the first set loss with a target on the Jennies' serve receive, enforcing scramble plays and forcing the Jennies offense to break down. Sophomore setter Peyton Uptgraft and junior defensive specialist Paige Parant each earned serving run stretches, allowing the Bearcats to separate from the close competition. The Bearcats dominated set two 25-20.
The third set was a fight for the Bearcats, totaling 13 kills for McKendree in comparison to Central Missouri's 14. McKendree was two points short of securing the third set to take momentum into the fourth. The Jennies took the advantage of the 2-1 set wins and offensively hit .456 while the Bearcats fell back to a 0.0 hitting percentage.
Vs. Missouri Western State University
McKendree fell to MoWest in a three set match, lacking offensive consistency (.071 total) throughout the three sets. With MoWest's 10 blocks to McKendree's six, the Achillies heal of the Bearcats was their attacking efficiency. However, the Bearcats won the stat battle in aces, with five to MoWest's three.
Some key players of the match were junior middle blocker Avery Guisinger with six blocks and outside hitters Brooke Heimbuger and Reese Distler with six kills each. Junior opposite hitter Sara Niemerg subbed into the game and made immediate impact with four kills for the Bearcats. Setters Peyton Uptgraft and Madison Wojdyla had 10 and eight assists, respectfully.
What's Next?
The Bearcats will open Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play against Drury University this Friday, September 16th at 6:00 p.m. at the Melvin Price Convention Center, followed by another conference matchup against Southwest Baptist University on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
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