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(Lebanon, Ill., March 28) -- McKendree men's volleyball will close out its regular season home schedule this weekend with two matches against nationally ranked Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association opponents. They will welcome the #10 Lewis University Flyers on Thursday evening, and then take on the #6 Loyola University Ramblers on Saturday, in which six seniors will be honored (Dustin Borenstein (Highland Park, IL/Highland Park), Pasquale Fiduccia, Brian Lyman, Nolan Rueter, Brendan Schmidt (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt West) and Jared Wilcox).

The Bearcats split a pair of non-conference contests against Princeton University at home last week, falling in five sets on Thursday before winning in four sets on Friday. McKendree is currently fifth in the conference standings with a record of 5-5, and are fighting for the right to host an MIVA quarterfinal match on April 14.

Schmidt is ranked third in the MIVA in hitting percentage (.403) and leads the Bearcats in total blocks, averaging one per set on the year. Rueter has recorded the most kills for McKendree this season, putting down 212 to go with a 1.77 digs per set average, while Wilcox leads the Bearcats in kills per set, posting an average of just under three.

Fiduccia is third in the conference in assists, averaging 9.95 per set, and has earned 1.51 digs per set as well. Junior libero Zach Thompson is ranked in the MIVA top five for digs, leading McKendree with an average of 2.19 per set. Freshman outside hitter Patrick Ross has contributed 2.32 kills and 1.49 digs per set in his inaugural season as a Bearcat.
 

#10 Lewis University Flyers (16-8, 7-3 MIVA)
The Flyers are currently third in the MIVA behind Loyola and Ohio State, and lead the conference in blocks per set, averaging 2.63 as a team.

Sophomore outside hitter Ryan Coenen is second in the MIVA in kills, averaging 3.66 per set and junior outside hitter Michael Simmons is fourth in the conference in digs, averaging 2.30 per set.

Freshman middle Tyler Mitchem is hitting .414 with 131 kills on the season, and leads Lewis in blocking, averaging 1.19 total per set. Junior setter Matt Yoshimoto has collected 672 assists for an average of 9.46 per set.
 

#6 Loyola Chicago Ramblers (19-4, 9-1 MIVA)
The Ramblers are first in the MIVA standings, and are ranked second in the conference in kills per set (12.93) and hitting percentage (.320) as a team.

Junior outside hitter Collin Mahan leads Loyola on offense, averaging 3.5 kills per set, while senior middle Jeff Jendryk is hitting a conference best .474 with 190 kills.

Freshman setter Garrett Zolg is second in the MIVA in assists, averaging 10.47 per set to go with 2.14 digs per set, leading his team in both categories. Junior middle Paul Narup has a team-high 75 total blocks.