LEBANON, IL --- The Prairie Stars (9-20, 2-14) fell to the McKendree Bearcats (19-9, 14-2) in straight sets as they closed out the road portion of their 2016 schedule. Illinois Springfield took on the second seeded Bearcats in the east division and fell 25-14, 25-18, 25-20.

In the match, the Prairie Stars attacked at just a 0.080 clip while the Bearcats hit at .400. UIS tallied 26 kills against 19 errors on the match. Alli Splitt led the way with an eight kill night, committing zero errors on just 14 attacks. Splitt attacked at a .571 clip, her second highest mark of the season with at least 14 attacks. Alyssa Hasler added seven kills and one block.

Lexi Hall led the way with 14 assists and added seven digs while Ally Vicsik also added seven digs.

McKendree jumped out to a 6-0 lead to take control in the first set and ended the set by scoring five of the final six points of the match to take the opening set.

In the second set, UIS battled early and trailed just 8-7 before McKendree took five of the next six points to take a 13-8 lead. The Bearcats held onto that five point lead for the remainder of the set before taking a 2-0 lead with a 25-18 second set.

In the final set, UIS held the early lead and took a 13-11 advantage after a Bearcat attack error and held the lead as late as 17-16. However, McKendree rallied for five consecutive points to take a 21-17 lead and ended the set with three straight points to take it 25-20.

UIS will return home to take on Southern Indiana on Friday night at 7:00 pm. Southern Indiana will come into the match having lost seven straight and holds a 9-19, 3-13 record. UIS lost to the Screaming Eagles earlier in the season in straight sets. The Prairie Stars will then host Bellarmine for the final game of the 2016 on Saturday at 3 pm. Prior to the match, UIS will recognize five seniors as a part of a senior day presentation.