(SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jan. 8) – The McKendree University men's volleyball team is set to compete in the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) Asics Invitational Jan. 9-11 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

The Bearcats will take on three nationally ranked opponents in the Invitational to open their 2020 campaign. The first match for McKendree will be against No. 13 CSUN on Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m. PST. The following day, Jan. 10, the Bearcats will take on the reigning National Champion, No. 4 Long Beach State at 3 p.m. PST. McKendree will wrap up the tournament with a match against tournament host, No. 5 UCSB, on Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. PST.

"This year we open competition with three top-tier competitors in CSUN, Long Beach State, and UCSB," said head coach Nickie Sanlin. "Our focused preparation this preseason has established what level of play is needed for this weekend and will set the precedent for the remainder of our non-conference schedule and MIVA play this year. I have seen leadership grow amongst the team and that level of commitment will make a big impact on the court this year. I'm eager to see what awaits this team for the 2020 season"

Mckendree is entering its seventh year as a program under Sanlin's reign, the sixth in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA). The Bearcats acquired the best finish in program history in 2019 with a 13-13 overall record and a 7-7 finish in MIVA competition.

Key returners for McKendree are senior opposite Zach Schnittker (Arlington Heights, IL/Buffalo Grove), junior middle blocker Wyatt Dimke (Ham Lake, MN/Blaine), sophomore setter Ryan Serrano (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek), and junior outside hitter Patrick Ross (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek). Schnittker, Dimke, and Serrano all earned post-season accolades from the MIVA. Dimke was named First-Team All-MIVA, Schnittker was named Second-Team All-MIVA, and Serrano was named MIVA Freshman of the Year and was selected for the Second-Team All-MIVA team.

On the 2019 season, Schnittker collected 228 kills, 140 digs, 66 total blocks, and 26 service aces for the Bearcats. Dimke tallied 158 kills during the 2019 season for a .375 hitting percentage as well as 88 total blocks. Serrano recorded 856 assists, 56 kills, 16 service aces, 164 digs, and 66 total blocks in his 2019 debut. Lastly, Ross collected 147 kills, 13 service aces, 79 digs, and 32 blocks on the 2019 season for McKendree.

The Bearcats will return home to play host to the New Jersey Institute of Technology for their next match on Jan. 17 that is scheduled for 7 p.m.

ABOUT CSUN:
CSUN is ranked No. 13 in the AVCA Division I-II poll. The Matadors are 2-0 in exhibition play to start their season, defeating the University of Guelph in back-to-back matches. CSUN ended the 2019 season 13-14 overall and 3-7 in the Big West Conference. For more information regarding CSUN, click here.

ABOUT LONG BEACH STATE:
Long Beach State is the reigning NCAA Champions and currently sit at No. 4 in the AVCA Division I-II poll. The Beach is 1-2 in exhibition competition after falling to Trinity Wester and Alberta and then defeating McMaster. Long Beach ended the 2019 season with a 28-2 overall record and a perfect 10-0 Big West Conference Record. For more information on Long Beach State, click here.

ABOUT UCSB:
UCSB is ranked No. 5 in the AVCA Division I-II poll. The Gauchos will open their 2020 season on Jan. 9 with a match against Concordia at 3 p.m. PST. UCSB ended the 2019 season 18-10 overall and 4-6 in the Big West Conference. For more information about the Gauchos, click here.