SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The University of Illinois Springfield volleyball team came out firing against rival (RV) McKendree, but ultimately fell short three sets to one. UIS (11-7, 5-4) came out and dominated the opening set, winning 25-13, but McKendree (14-3, 9-0) responded with the next three sets, all of which were closer than the previous.

The Prairie Stars totaled 14 kills against just two errors in the opening set, and jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead. Up 16-10, UIS then rallied for seven consecutive points to take a commanding 23-10 lead and cruise to a 25-13 win in the opening set. UIS held the Bearcats to a mere .021 hitting percentage in the set.

In the second, UIS committed nine errors as McKendree tied the match with a 25-19 victory in the second set. UIS held a 14-13 lead in the third set, but McKendree close the set on a 12-6 run, scoring five of the final six points to close out the set 25-20.

The fourth set proved to be even closer, as UIS scored five consecutive points to take a 5-3 lead and then scored five of six points to take an 11-6 advantage. The Bearcats responded with eight of nine points to take an 18-16 lead but UIS fought back to tie the match at 19, 20, and 21 before ultimately taking the lead at 22.

McKendree responded with four of the final five points to take the set and the match 25-23.

Four Prairie Stars ended the night with double-digit kills, led by Alli Splitt with 13. Jailyn Borum and Taylor Bauer each totaled 12 while Brianna Bush had 10 kills. Tiffany Wentworth --- after setting a career-high with 47 assists last night --- followed that up with a 46-assist performance.  

As a team, UIS had 17.5 total blocks, tying their season high, accomplished at Missouri Baptist on September 19^th. This was the second straight match in which UIS had double-digit blocks, following a 12 block performance against Missouri-St. Louis.

Borum notched her fifth double-double of the year with 20 digs along with her 12 kills while Wentworth recorded her fourth with 46 assists and 23 digs. Courtney Schutt added 21 digs from the libero position.

UIS will now get set for the Mizuno Midwest Crossover Tournament held in Aurora, IL in which they will play three matches in a two-day span. The pairings for that will come out early next week. The Prairie Stars return home on October 20^th to face (RV) Drury.