LEBANON, Ill. – Despite building a 2-0 advantage, the UIndy women's volleyball team fell 3-2 (23-25, 19-25, 25-18, 25-14, 15-7) Friday night at McKendree, in a matchup of two Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division squads.

The Greyhounds dropped to 6-10 overall and 4-4 in conference play, while the Bearcats won their fourth in a row to improve to 12-5 (7-1).

UIndy jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the opening set, capitalizing on late Bearcats errors and an efficient offensive effort from senior Shelby Ruffner. In what started as a back-and-forth set, McKendree gained a bit of traction midway through to grab an 18-13 lead. But shortly after, UIndy's Ruffner delivered three kills in a row to make it 20-20, and a trio of errors cost McKendree its late lead and ultimately the set, 25-23.

UIndy rolled that success into the second set, maintaining a slight edge throughout win, 25-19. When Ruffner and junior Kacee Salyers combined on a block – making it 17-12 Greyhounds – McKendree was forced to burn its second timeout. The Hounds held onto the lead, and eventually won on senior Becca Lira's kill on set-point.

The tables turned after the 10-minute intermission, as the hosts rallied to win the next three sets to stun the Hounds.

Reigning GLVC Player of the Year Arela Williams came alive during the third set, contributing seven kills as the Bearcats marched to a 25-18 set victory. McKendree then forced the decisive fifth set with a solid 25-14 win in set four, hitting .310 (12-3-29) to UIndy's -.027 (8-9-37)

The Bearcats continued their roll into the fifth set, leading 8-4 by the time the two teams switch sides. McKendree's efficient .588 (11-1-17) hitting percentage eventually led to a resounding 15-7 win, officially erasing the 2-0 deficit and completing the comeback.  

Salyers paced UIndy with 16 kills, followed by Ruffner's 10 on a .308 attacking clip. Sophomore Maggie Gibson totaled 36 assists, nine digs and three blocks.

Sophomore Bri Heffernan led the team with 17 digs, and Salyers added 10 for her third double-double of the year.

After hitting .293 as a team across the opening two sets, the Hounds' offense slumped for a .037 mark over the final three frames.

UIndy has a chance to rebound with a 3 p.m. ET match against Illinois Springfield tomorrow (Saturday) at The Recreation and Athletic Center on the Prairie Stars' campus.