The Illinois Springfield volleyball team fell 3-1 to McKendree on Saturday afternoon in Lebanon, Ill., dropping to 6-8 overall and 0-4 in GLVC play.

"I am very proud of the resilience this group is showing through a tough couple of injury-ridden weeks." said Coach Ulrich. "They are still learning and growing and I'm grateful to work alongside side a group that works hard through adversity."

The match opened as a tight affair, but McKendree scraped out a 25-23 first-set win after holding UIS to 11 kills on the set. The Bearcats then carried their momentum into the second frame, limiting UIS to just eight kills in a 25-15 decision.

UIS responded in the third with its best offensive set of the day. The Prairie Stars hit .286 with the attack led by Makenna Cox and Erica Sledge, taking the set 25-19 to extend the match.

The Bearcats, however, regained control in the fourth. McKendree went up 10-3, though the Prairie Stars would tie it up at 19-19 in the set. The Bearcats capitalized on a stretch of UIS attack errors down the stretch to take the 25-22 set and secure the match.

Makenna Cox paced the Stars with a team-high 18 kills and added 24 digs, while Erica Sledge contributed nine kills and ran the offense with 30 assists; Tuana Yuce chipped in 23 digs and Lexie Vick recorded four blocks.

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UIS will return home next weekend to face William Jewell and Rockhurst at TRAC.