Live Stats

(Lebanon, Ill., Jan. 17) -- After finishing a perfect 2-0 at the inaugural Off the Block Grow the Game Challenge in Nashville, TN, the McKendree University men's volleyball program will look to take that momentum into Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) play. They will begin conference action tomorrow in St. Charles, MO, as they take on the Lindenwood University Lions at 7 pm.

Middle blocker Brendan Schmidt (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt West) was named Offensive Player of the Week by the MIVA on Tuesday after he averaged three kills per set while hitting .652 over the weekend. The 6-9 red-shirt senior leads the Bearcats in total blocks, with 22, and service aces, with 11. He is currently hitting .500, which ranks him fifth in the nation in that category.

Freshman outside hitter Patrick Ross has collected the most kills for McKendree, with 65, for an average of just under three per set over six matches. He has also recorded 27 digs, for an average of 1.23 per set, as well.

Senior Nolan Rueter has earned 49 kills, averaging 2.33 per set, and is second on the team in digs, with 28 total. Junior libero Zach Thompson leads that particular category, as he is averaging 1.68 digs per set on the young season.

Senior setter Pasquale Fiduccia has added to his program leading all-time assists total, amassing 215 in 21 sets (10.24 average), and is also averaging 1.24 digs per set. Senior Jared Wilcox is averaging 2.45 kills per set, hitting .302.
 

Lindenwood University Lions (3-0 overall)
Lindenwood opened their 2018 season by winning the inaugural Off the Block Grow the Game Challenge last weekend in Nashville, TN. The Lions picked up three victories, sweeping Erskine College, North Greenville, and Barton College.

Three players for Lindenwood are currently averaging more than two kills per set, in senior outside hitter Nathan Van Dellen (3.22), sophomore opposite Charley Hlavin (2.89) and freshman outside hitter Johnny Winkler (2.56). Van Dellen is also second on the team in digs, averaging 2.44 per set.

Senior libero Ryan Vorderer has recorded 28 digs, for an average of over three per set. Junior setter Adam Brewster is averaging 10.44 assists per set and has compiled 16 digs. Junior middle blocker Connor Hipelius leads the Lions at the net, averaging 1.56 total blocks per set, to go along with 16 kills.