Box Score (LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 25)—The McKendree University men's volleyball team was swept in a best-of-five match Tuesday at home against Lindenwood University. The visiting Lions roared past the Bearcats by scores of 25-21, 25-16 and 25-17.
McKendree slips to 3-15 overall and will hit the road for a two-match weekend series at Culver-Stockton College. The Bearcats will square off with the Wildcats Friday at 7 p.m. and again on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Canton, Mo.
Against Lindenwood, freshman outside hitter
Dustin Borenstein (Highland Park, IL/Highland Park) put down a team-high 12 kills to lead McKendree. Borenstein had a hitting percentage of .450 against the Lions. Freshman outside hitter Andy Schnittker helped out with six kills in the contest. Freshman setter Jack MacLean registered a team-leading 22 assists, while freshman libero
Brice Miller (O'Fallon, IL/Althoff Catholic) collected five digs. Freshman middle blocker
Wyatt Patterson (Flossmoor, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor) led the effort up front with three assists blocks for the Bearcats.
In the first set, Lindenwood (12-4) was able to forge a slight lead before scoring four of five points late in the contest to extend its margin to 23-17. McKendree responded by scoring the next three points – including consecutive kills by Schnittker -- to trim the deficit to 23-20. The Lions were able to hold on to grab the first-set victory, and never trailed in either of the final two sets to pull away for the sweep. In set two, Lindenwood broke open a close match with a strong finish, scoring five of the final six points of the set.
The Lions opened the third and final set on a 7-1 run to take command quickly. The Lindenwood lead grew to 17-6 before McKendree made one final run, scoring six of the next seven points to pull within 18-12.
Colin Hackworth put down a match-high 14 kills and four assisted blocks to lead Lindenwood, while Michael Adams helped out with 11 kills and five digs. Tim Schmidt led all players with 35 assists for the Lions.
McKendree and Lindenwood will meet once more this season on March 11 in St. Charles, Mo.
