(FULTON, Mo., Nov. 11)—The McKendree University volleyball team stormed into the American Midwest Conference Tournament semifinals with a three-set sweep of host William Woods University Tuesday in Fulton, Mo. The Bearcats won by scores of 25-18, 29-27 and 26-24.
Sophomore middle hitter Carrie Brickey (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) led a balanced offensive attack with nine kills as the Bearcats, the No. 5 seed in the AMC Tournament, improved to 18-16 on the year. McKendree will travel to Columbia, Mo., on Thursday for an AMC Tournament semifinal match at Columbia. The top-seeded Cougars defeated Harris-Stowe State University in Tuesday’s quarterfinal round.
Senior middle hitter Katelyn Kombrink (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) became McKendree’s all-time leader in leader in service aces during Tuesday’s win. Kombrink had five aces on the night, giving her 191 for her career. Kombrink surpassed Melissa Dorsey, who had 188 aces during her McKendee playing days from 1991-94.
Junior outside hitter Dani Collins (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) matched Kombrink with seven kills, while Collins chipped in a team-leading four blocks. Senior setter Dana Maedge (Highland, Ill./Highland) had a team-best 26 assists and 17 digs. Junior outside hitter Andrea Lucas (Festus, Mo./Festus) added 15 digs, and junior libero Lauren Sarver (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) handed 14.
-McK-