UIS Volleyball fell 3-1 to the hosting McKendree Bearcats before defeating the Harding Bisons in straight sets on the first day of the McKendree Invitational.
UIS vs. McKendree
McKendree scored the first point of the first set before taking off on a six-point run once UIS matched them. The Bearcats put up 13 kills and made just two errors in the set, scoring the fnal eight points to win it 25-9.
The Prairie Stars found their footing, starting 2 with a 4-1 lead in the second set. McKendree regained the lead at 7-7 with three consecutive kills. UIS would fall 25-19 with eight errors on the set.
UIS pushed for a comeback over the third set, where the lead would switch six times early on. A four-point run in which Eirini Glynou had two kills set UIS apart before the set ended on five consecutive attack errors by the Bearcats.
McKendree would quash the UIS comeback with a dominant fourth set. The Bearcats took off to a 5-0 start. UIS made five errors early, balanced by two kills by Glynou, to trail 10-2. Each team would put up eight more kills on the set, however the Prairie Stars made six errors to McKendree's four.
UIS matched McKendree with 58 digs, including 13 by Erica Sledge and 11 by Amanda McConnell. The defense also combined for 16 assisted blocks and one solo block. The Prairie Stars were led on offense by Eirini Glynou with 18 kills and Erica Sledge with 28 assists.
UIS vs. Harding
The UIS win over Harding was highlighted by a team effort on the defensive side. Seven Prairie Stars combined for 49 kills including Eirini Glynou's 14. Carly Michels and Gabriella Ricci added ten apiece.
UIS led all the way through the first set, fending off a five-point run that would put the Bisons within three points. UIS held onto the lead at 22-24 after another run by Harding. The Prairie Stars won the set after a kill by Carly Michels and an attack error by Harding.
The Bisons jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second set. UIS worked to regain control over the duration of the set, using an 8-3 run to get within one point of their opponent. The Prairie Stars made another run of seven to lead 24-19 and would win on a Bisons service error.
UIS won the third set in more dominant fashion, jumping ahead 8-3 and only allowing Harding within five points once more. A 15-kill set with just six errors secured a win for the Prairie Stars.
Up Next
UIS will meet No. 5 Missouri-St. Louis on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.