(Muncie, Ind., April 6) -- The Ball State Cardinals avenged a February defeat at hands of the McKendree University men's volleyball team on Friday evening, sweeping the Bearcats inside the John E. Worthen Arena. With the loss, McKendree falls to 11-13 overall on the season and 6-7 in Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association play.
Brendan Schmidt (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt West), Jared Wilcox and Nolan Rueter each recorded five kills for the Bearcats. Junior libero Zach Thompson and senior setter Pasquale Fiduccia combined for 11 digs, while red-shirt freshman Wyatt Dimke collected three total blocks.
Ball State never trailed in the first set, leading by as many as nine to take the early 1-0 lead following a kill by Ben Chinnici. The Cardinals started the second set on a 7-2 scoring run, forcing a McKendree timeout, on their way to a comfortable 25-15 win.
Ball State got off to another quick start in the third set, scoring ten of the first 13 points. The Bearcats fought back to tie the set at 16 a-piece but were unable to force a fourth set. Matt Szews led the Cardinals with 14 kills and ten digs in the winning effort.
The Bearcats will wrap up the regular season tomorrow night at Fort Wayne in an MIVA match-up.
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