(Lebanon, Ill., March 29) – McKendree men's volleyball pulled off the upset against #10 Lewis University on Thursday night at home. It marks the first time the Bearcats have defeated the Flyers in program history, after losing the first eight matches in the series dating back to 2014.

McKendree dropped the first set 25-21, but rebounded to take the next three sets, including a marathon second by a score of 38-36. Despite getting out-blocked at the net 16-9, the Bearcats had the edge in kills 66-59 and were able to grit out the last two sets by an identical score of 25-23.

Senior Jared Wilcox hit .302 with a team-high 20 kills, while another senior, outside hitter Nolan Rueter, added 18 of his own to go with a team leading 13 digs. Red-shirt freshman Wyatt Dimke recorded five total blocks to lead the Bearcats in that category, and senior setter Pasquale Fiduccia had 56 assists, which is a personal season high in four-set matches for him this season.

???????McKendree improves to 11-11 overall with the victory, and 6-5 in Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Conference play and are now in hunt for a top four finish, which would give them the right to host a conference tournament quarterfinal match on April 14.

???????The Bearcats will now close out their regular season home schedule on Saturday, when they take on the #6 Loyola Chicago Ramblers on senior night.