(Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 5) -- Despite outhitting the Tritons from the University of California at San Diego, the McKendree men's volleyball team fell in five sets on Friday night at the John Wooden Center on the campus of UCLA.

Freshman Patrick Ross and senior Nolan Rueter both recorded 16 kills to lead the Bearcats offensively, and also combined for 15 total digs. Middle blocker Brendan Schmidt (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt West) hit .333 with 12 kills, and collected five total blocks on the night.

Red-shirt freshman outside hitter Ethan Carroll put down 11 kills in his first appearance for McKendree. Setter Pasquale Fiduccia contributed 59 assists and seven digs, while libero Zach Thompson compiled seven digs of his own.

A kill from Alec Flowers gave the Tritons an early 12-6 lead in the first set. McKendree rallied, outscoring its opponent 16-10 to tie the set at 22 all. UCSD grabbed the last three points of the first to take the set, 25-22.

In a back-and-forth second set, the Bearcats tied the score at 20-20 with a kill from outside hitter Patrick Ross. They then scored five of the next seven points to tie the match at one set all, following a put away from middle blocker Brendan Schmidt (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt West).

The Bearcats earned two set points in the third set, but were unable to capitalize, as the Tritons prevailed in nail-biting fashion, 29-27.

In the fourth set, McKendree strung together four points in a row, creating a 17-12 advantage. An attack error by UCSD gave the fourth to the Bearcats, 25-21, forcing a decisive fifth set.

Both teams went on 4-0 scoring runs in the fifth, but the Tritons pulled out the victory, winning the set by a final score of 15-13.

The Bearcats (0-2) return to the John Wooden Center tomorrow for two matches, as they will face King University at 10 am PST and the #4 UCLA Bruins at 7:30 pm PST.