(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 23) – The McKendree University men's volleyball team lost to No. 10 Lewis University, 3-1. The Bearcats are now 6-7 overall and 3-3 in Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) play.

McKendree took an early lead in set one over the Flyers and managed to maintain it for the remainder of the set. With a kill from senior outside hitter Will Frank (Moro, IL/Edwardsville) and a junior opposite Zach Schnittker (Arlington Heights, IL/Buffalo Grove) service ace, the Bearcats beat Lewis 25-22 to open up the match. The Flyers came out strong in the second set going on a five-point run to lead, 8-4. Unfortunately the deficit was too much for the Bearcats to overcome as they fell 25-21 in set two. Momentum carried over into set three for Lewis as it took the set, 25-15. The Bearcats weren't done yet as they placed immense pressure on the Flyers in set four to push extra points but Lewis came out on top, 26-24 to take the match, 3-1.

Offensive leaders for the Bearcats were Schnittker, Frank, and sophomore middle blocker Wyatt Dimke (Ham Lake, MN/Blaine). Schnittker led the pack with 14 kills, Frank followed with 11, and Dimke was next with eight. Dimke also managed a .500 hitting percentage after going eight for 14. McKendree tallied seven service aces throughout the match, Schnittker with three, Frank with two, and Dimke and sophomore outside hitter Patrick Ross (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek) each recorded one.

Defensively, freshman libero Francisco Comas (Naperville, IL/Neuqua Valley High School), Ross, and freshman setter Ryan Serrano (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek) controlled the back line. Comas tallied 10 digs while Ross and Serrano each had six. Dimke and Serrano had one block assist each and Ross had the only block solo on the night for the Bearcats.

McKendree will be back in action next week, March 1 and 3, as it takes on Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The March 1 match will begin at 7 p.m. ET and the March 3 match will begin at 2 p.m. ET.