Lebanon, Ill. – The Maryville volleyball team returned to Great Lakes Valley Conference action with a 3-0 sweep at McKendree Friday night. Ella Brinkmann recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 21 digs as the Saints posted a 26-24, 25-22, 25-19 victory. Abbie Schnell finished with 23 assists and three service aces, while Taylor Hasbrook added 19 digs. Hanna Dressing finished with seven kills and hit .400 in the contest.
 
McKendree recap
The Bearcats jumped to a 17-9 lead in set one before the Saints roared all the way back. Grace Graham had a kill, and a block by Caroline Glastetter and Dressing pulled the Saints to 17-11. Still down 18-11, Brinkmann had kills to start and end a 4-0 run. The deficit was 21-17 until a Bearcat service error and two straight kills by Graham chopped the margin to just 21-20. The Saints finally drew even when Dressing and Graham had a block to make it 23-23. McKendree earned a set point but a Graham kill tied the set again. After a ball handling error, Schnell served an ace to cap the Maryville comeback at 26-24.
 
McKendree led set two 7-6 before the Saints reeled off six straight points to surge in front. Mckenna Brauman tied the score before Dressing put the Saints on top. A kill by Taylor Keck built a 12-7 edge. Glastetter and Dressing had back-to-back kills as Maryville took its biggest lead at 16-10. The Bearcats cut their gap to 22-20 until Keck put down two more kills. The Saints held on to win set two 25-22 to take a 2-0 lead.
 
In the third set, the Saints saw their advantage trimmed to just 7-6 before Maryville reeled off five straight points. Brinkmann started the run with three straight kills as the Saints built a 12-6 cushion. McKendree got as close as 15-11 but Maryville answered with four straight points for a 19-11 margin. The hosts inched to within 22-18 until Brauman's kill ended the match at 25-19.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann - 13
Hitting Percentage: Hanna Dressing - .400
Assists: Abbie Schnell - 23
Service Aces: Abbie Schnell - 3
Digs: Ella Brinkmann - 21
Blocks: Lynsey Batson - 5
 
Records
Maryville: 14-7, 5-2 GLVC
McKendree: 10-10, 0-6 GLVC
 
What's Next?
The Saints have their shortest road trip of the season as they head to the north side of town to take on No. 4 Missouri-St. Louis. First serve in the Mark Twain Building is scheduled for 3 p.m.