Box Score (LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 25) – The McKendree University men's volleyball team fell to Penn State University 3-0 Friday night. The Bearcats are now 1-2 overall on the season and look to bounce back Saturday afternoon when they take on the Red Flash of Saint Francis University at 1 p.m. ET.

McKendree pulled the first set into extra points after going on a five-point run late to tie things up 24-24. After tough back-and-forth point play, the Nittany Lions came out victorious 27-25. The Bearcats faced great pressure in the second set and found themselves at the farthest point deficit in the match at 21-11. With some key offensive plays, McKendree cut the point difference to 17-23 but it was a little too late and Penn State took the second set 25-17. With momentum on their side the Nittany Lions clinched the third set 25-19 and the match 3-0.

The Bearcats controlled the net defensively over Penn State as seven McKendree players tallied blocks. Junior middle blocker Lucas Galifos (Mokena,IL/Lincoln Way East) led the pack with five total block assists followed by freshman outside hitter Brendon Dunn (Sherman Oaks, CA/Notre Dame) who tallied three. Freshman setter Ryan Serrano (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek) was next with two recorded blocks and then junior opposite Zach Schnittker (Arlington Heights, IL/Buffalo Grove), sophomore middle blocker Wyatt Dimke (Ham Lake, MN/Blaine), sophomore outside hitter Patrick Ross (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek), and sophomore outside hitter Ethan Carroll (Barrington, IL/Barrington) all collected one block on the night. The number put the Bearcats up 7-6 in total blocks over Penn State. McKendree also had no blocking errors throughout the match whereas the Nittany Lions were faulted twice.

Offensive leaders for McKendree were Ross, Galifos, and Dunn. Ross tallied eight kills and one service ace, Galifos collected six kills, and Dunn had four kills for the Bearcats. Off of the bench for McKendree, Carroll recorded two kills and one service ace to keep the Bearcats competitive in the third set. Serrano set McKendree up 19 times throughout the three set match with zero ball handling errors.

Defensive efforts were spread across the Bearcat roster with senior libero and Ross collecting the most at four digs each. Schnittker and Dunn were next for the defense with three digs each followed by Serrano who collected two and then off the bench, Carroll tallied one dig for the Bearcats.

McKendree will continue its roach stretch with a match against Saint Francis University Saturday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. ET in Loretto, Pa.