(ST. CHARLES, Mo., Jan. 24) – The McKendree University men's volleyball team dropped its first set of the Lindenwood Invitational to Grand Canyon University, 3-1. The Bearcats are now 3-3 overall on the season.
The first set consisted of point-for-point play with the Bearcats and Grand Canyon remaining even for a majority of competition until the Antelopes recorded a four-point run late in the set to win 25-20. The second set began in similar fashion but with McKendree tallying the three-point run late in the set to gain the lead, eventually taking the set 25-21 to tie things up.
In the third set, the Bearcats recorded its largest point run of the match earning five straight points over the Antelopes. Grand Canyon answered back and regained the lead, winning the third set 25-22. Momentum remained with the Antelopes in the fourth set as they went on to win 25-18 and 3-2 in the match.
Senior opposite
Zach Schnittker (Arlington Heights, IL/Buffalo Grove) led the Bearcats in kills as the only player to record double-digit kills for McKendree with 15, tying his season best. Schnittker also collected six block assists and one solo block to lead the blocking efforts for McKendree alongside junior middle blocker
Wyatt Dimke (Ham Lake, MN/Blaine) who also recorded six block assists and one solo block. Junior outside hitter
Patrick Ross (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek) was also a strong offensive force for the Bearcats, collecting nine kills.
On the back line, sophomore setter
Ryan Serrano (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek) ran the match for McKendree with 15 digs in the four set match, marking a new season best for the sophomore. Junior libero
Jorge Collazo (Orlando, FL/Lake Nona (Lincoln Memorial)) was also an impact player for the Bearcats defense tallying nine digs.
As a team, McKendree out-blocked the Antelopes earning 12 total blocks in the match compared to Grand Canyon's ten. The Bearcats also recorded a higher hitting percentage in the first three sets than Grand Canyon with its highest being in the second set at .233 percent.
McKendree will resume competition at the Lindenwood Invitational with a match against the University of California, San Diego on Saturday, Jan. 24. First serve is set for 1 p.m.
