LEBANON, Ill. — Lewis women's volleyball recorded 12 or more service aces for the fifth time this season, defeating McKendree 3-1 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action Saturday afternoon at the Melvin Price Convocation Center.
With the win, the Flyers improved to 13-11 overall and 6-3 in GLVC play, while the Bearcats fell to 4-19 and remained winless in conference action.
IMPACT PLAYERS
Peyton Benhoff (Breese, Ill./Breese Central) paced Lewis' offense with 12 kills, while Sarah Newberry (Fairfield, Ohio/Stephen T Badin) recorded a career-high five service aces. Kaileigh Krawiec (Roselle, Ill./Lake Park) tallied 22 assists, and Elena Gubera (Jamestown, Ind./Western Boone) led all Flyers with 18 digs. Newberry also posted a team-best four block assists in the winning effort.
Reece Distler led McKendree with eight kills, while Peyton Uptgraft finished with 30 assists. Paige Parant recorded a team-high 15 digs for the Bearcats.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lewis dominated the opening set, posting a .409 hitting percentage (11-2-22) compared to McKendree's .074 mark (10-8-27) and claimed the first set, 25-14, to take a 1-0 lead.
With the score tied 4-4 in the second set, Lewis took control with a match-best 9-3 run, fueled by kills from Caroline Impey (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) and Benhoff, to lead 13-8. After the teams traded the next handful of points, the Flyers put together another strong stretch with a 7-2 run that extended Lewis' advantage to 23-14. The Flyers closed out the set, 25-15, to take a 2-0 match lead.
The third set was much closer, with the teams tied 20-20 before McKendree scored two consecutive points to take a 22-20 lead. Lewis responded with kills from Benhoff and Newberry to even the score at 22-22. After the teams traded the next two points, the Bearcats scored the final two points off a pair of Lewis errors to take the set, 25-23, and cut the Flyers' lead in half, 2-1.
Lewis closed out the match in the fourth set, using an 8-2 run midway through the frame to seize control. The Flyers also posted a match-best .464 hitting percentage (14 kills, one error, 28 attempts) in the set, winning 25-12 to secure the 3-1 victory.
MATCH NOTES
- Lewis improved to 18-2 all-time against McKendree.
- Kynzie Lilly (Richmond, Texas/Southwest Baptist) is five service aces away from becoming the first Flyer since Alexandra Preuss in 2019 to record at least 50 aces in a season
- The Flyers held an opponent below a .150 hitting percentage for the first time since Sept. 26, when they limited Truman State to a .122 mark.
- Benhoff recorded at least 10 kills for the first time in her collegiate career.
UP NEXT
Lewis returns to Neil Carey Arena to host Rockhurst on Rae Strong/Youth Night Thursday, Oct. 30. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
ATHLETICS ANNUAL FUNDS CAMPAIGN
At Lewis University, athletics is about more than the final score. It is about developing the whole person, building a community rooted in faith and service, and preparing student-athletes to make a difference beyond the playing field. Your support of the Athletics Annual Funds Campaign helps our student-athletes grow in and embody the University's Catholic and Lasallian mission by providing them with opportunities to develop as competitors, scholars, leaders and people of character. Together, we can continue to build a program that reflects the values of Lewis University and empowers Flyers to excel in competition, in the classroom and in life. To donate, CLICK HERE.
For the latest news, scores and updates on Lewis women's volleyball, visit LewisFlyers.com and follow the Flyers on social media at @Lewisuwvb on Instagram and @LewisWVBall on X.
