(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 26) – The McKendree University men's volleyball team suffered a 3-1 loss Saturday despite outnumbering Saint Francis in team kills, total blocks, and total assists. The Bearcats are now 1-3 overall on the 2019 season.

McKendree began the match with strong offensive power, tallying 13 kills in the first set alone. With the strong offensive skills, the Bearcats clinched the first set 25-23. However, the momentum shifted in the second set as McKendree found themselves down 5-1 to start the set. A late push made the Bearcats competitive but it wasn't enough and the Red Flash won set two, 25-20. Saint Francis ran with the momentum and claimed the third and fourth set, 25-21 and 25-23 to win the match 3-1.

Sophomore outside hitter Patrick Ross (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek) had a personal best this season with 18 kills in the match to lead the offensive efforts for McKendree. Junior opposite Zach Schnittker (Arlington Heights, IL/Buffalo Grove) was also a key offensive player for the Bearcats with 11 recorded kills as well as freshman outside hitter Brendon Dunn (Sherman Oaks, CA/Notre Dame) who had eight. Freshman setter Ryan Serrano (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek) proved to be a well-rounded player for McKendree recording 40 assists, four kills, and one service ace for the offense.

Defensively Serrano put up six total blocks in the match and tallied six digs for the Bearcats. Schnittker led the team with 11 digs followed by senior libero Zach Thompson (Defiance, MO/Francis Howell) who had eight. At the net, Serrano and junior middle blocker Lucas Galifos (Mokena,IL/Lincoln Way East) led McKendree in total blocks, each with six. Sophomore middle blocker Wyatt Dimke (Ham Lake, MN/Blaine) is next with five total blocks then Ross follows with 3 total blocks.

McKendree will remain local next weekend with the Lindenwood Invitational Tournament Feb. 1-3 in St. Charles, Mo. There, the Bearcats will face Lourdes University, No. 1 Long Beach State, and Alderson Broaddus University.