(LEBANON, Ill., April 13) – The McKendree University men's volleyball team defeated the Ball State Cardinals, 3-2 in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Quarterfinals Saturday.  

McKendree powered through the first set to collect a 25-19 victory in set one and used that momentum to earn a 25-22 win in set two. The Cardinals pushed the Bearcats into extra points to win in the third and fourth sets, 27-25 and 29-27. McKendree came out victorious after leaving it all on the court in the fifth set, winning 16-14 to take down the Cardinals 3-2 to advance to the MIVA Semifinals.

Junior opposite Zach Schnittker (Arlington Heights, IL/Buffalo Grove) led the offense with 15 kills for McKendree. Senior outside hitter Will Frank (Moro, IL/Edwardsville) and junior middle blocker Lucas Galifos (Mokena,IL/Lincoln Way East) were also key offensive players for the Bearcats, each tallying 11 kills in the match.

Senior libero Zach Thompson (Defiance, MO/Francis Howell) tied his personal best in recorded digs with 16 in the match to lead the Bearcat defense. Frank and Schnittker helped power the back line as well, Frank recording 13 digs, a personal season high, and Schnittker tallying 11.

Galifos and Schnittker were powerhouses at the net for the Bearcat defense. Galifos recorded five total blocks to lead the McKendree defense at the net with Schnittker close behind with four total blocks. Freshman setter Ryan Serrano (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek) collected the only two solo blocks on either side of the net.

McKendree will face Lewis University in the next round of the MIVA tournament for the semifinals.