Box Score (MUNCIE, Ind., Jan. 24)—The McKendree University men's volleyball team played its inaugural match on Friday night at Ball State University and dropped a three-set decision to the host Cardinals. Ball State swept the best-of-five match by scores of 25-13, 25-15 and 25-13.
 
Freshman right-side hitter Maalik Walker (Shorewood, IL/Minooka) led the Bearcats with six kills as McKendree slipped to 0-1 on the year. The Bearcats will head north for four matches over the weekend, including a pair on Saturday at Dominican University near Chicago. McKendree will take on host Dominican in the first contest at noon before squaring off against the College of Mount St. Joseph at 2:30 p.m.
 
McKendree announced back in December 2012 the addition of men's volleyball, and Friday's match marked the culmination of a moment nearly 14 months in the making. Head coach Nickie Sanlin, a former Belleville East standout who played collegiately at Marshall University, recruited 15 freshman to be part of the Bearcats' inaugural program.
 
At Ball State, freshman outside hitter Dustin Borenstein (Highland Park, IL/Highland Park) added four attacks and four digs for McKendree, while freshman setter Jack MacLean handed out a team-best 12 assists.
 
The Bearcats scored the first point ever played in the program's history as Walker put down a kill off a pass from MacLean. McKendree was able to stretch its advantage to 4-1 before Ball State was able to claw its way into the lead. A kill by MacLean brought McKendree within 10-8 before Ball State scored six of the next seven points to push its lead to 16-9. The Cardinals were able to slowly increase their margin and rolled to the first-set win.
 
In set two, Ball State raced to a 10-3 lead before McKendree mounted a comeback bid. The Bearcats came as close as 12-8 when the Cardinals collected seven of eight points to build a double-digit lead at 19-9.
 
The teams went toe-to-toe in the third set. Ball State never trailed in the deciding set, although McKendree came as close at 13-10. The Cardinals then gained the upper hand one final time, scoring six consecutive points to build a 19-10 advantage on its way to the sweep.
 
Marcin Niemczewski led the way for Ball State (2-3) with 10 kills.
 
McKendree will play its first-ever home match on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center against Missouri Baptist University. First serve is set for 7 p.m.