ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Rachel Machovec recorded a season-high 17 kills as Flagler College defeated McKendree University 3-1 (16-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-22) to conclude the Lindenwood Challenge on Saturday at the Robert F. Hyland Arena.

Flagler improved to 7-4 overall and went 2-1 in the tournament. Rachel and Rebekah Machovec were selected to the all-tournament team. McKendree had its three-match winning streak snapped and dropped to 5-6 overall. The Bearcats also went 2-1 in the tourney.

Rachel Machovec finished with a .279 hitting percentage as she had five errors on 43 swings. She added eight digs and four total blocks to her line. Jordan Taylor contributed nine kills and hit .375. Kayla Norelli finished with a match-high 21 digs and Kennedy Muff tallied 32 assists. Rebekah Machovec chipped in with 13 digs and four block assists.

The Saints finished with a season-best 11.0 total team blocks.

Elle Russell led McKendree with a match-high 18 kills. Gracie Marr tallied 39 assists while Amanda Tippett collected 16 digs.

The Saints held a 12-10 lead in the first set, but the Bearcats rallied to take an 18-13 lead. McKendree had four players with three or more kills in the set and the team hit .242. Flagler was held to a .028 percentage.

Flagler held on to win the second set behind six kills from Rachel Machovec. She hit a sizzling .667 with nine errorless swings.

The Saints used a 10-3 run midway through the third set to gain control. Rachel Machovec led the way with five kills and McKendree hit an ice cold -.029. Norelli collected seven digs for Flagler and Muff tallied 11 assists.

The fourth set saw six ties and four lead changes. The score was deadlocked at 19, but two hitting errors by Russell sandwiched around a kill by Taylor gave the Saints enough breathing room.

Flagler opens up Peach Belt Conference play next weekend. The Saints visit Lander University on Friday (Sept. 27) at 7 p.m. at Greenwood, South Carolina.

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