(LEBANON, Ill. – JAN. 22) – The McKendree University men's volleyball team will open their 2021 season by hosting Lincoln Memorial University, on Sunday. Jan. 24. The game will begin at 2:00 PM in the Harry M. Statham Sports Center.
"It has been 317 days from our last conference match to the start of season practices," said head Coach
Nickie Sanlin. "COVID has given our team an opportunity to appreciate the gift of competition. I am fortunate for the return of
Wyatt Dimke (Ham Lake, MN/Blaine),
Lucas Galifos (Mokena,IL/Lincoln Way East), and
Zach Schnittker (Arlington Heights, IL/Buffalo Grove) to have another chance to grind with this experienced group. Without losing any members of the 2020 roster, I am very optimistic of the outlook for this season!"
McKendree is entering its eights year as a program under Sanlin, the seventh in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA). The Bearcats closed out the 2020 season with a winning 10-7 overall and 4-3 in MIVA competition. The season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional key returners for McKendree are setter
Ryan Serrano (Phoenix, AZ/Boulder Creek), outside hitter
Patrick Ross (Anthem, AZ/Boulder Creek), libero
Francisco Comas (Naperville, IL/Neuqua Valley), and outside hitter
Ethan Carroll (Barrington, IL/Barrington).
Dimke, Serrano, and Comas all collected All-MIVA honors, Serrano and Comas both collected Second-Team honors, and Galifos and Carroll both collected Academic All-MIVA honors for the 2020 season. In the games played during the season, Dimke recorded 116 kills, a .411 hitting percentage, 27 digs, and 61 total blocks. He was the long Bearcat to earn First-Team honors, and led the team in both hitting percentage and total blocks. Serrano recorded 436 assists, 83 digs, and 27 blocks. Comas led the team in total digs, 125, and also recorded 29 assists. Galifos recorded 89 kills with a .386 hitting percentage, seven service aces, 17 digs and 53 blocks. Carroll recorded 134 kills, 11 service aces and assists, 65 digs, and 12 blocks.
About Lincoln Memorial:
Lincoln Memorial are 1-0 to start this season, defeating Lees-McRae in a straight-set sweep. They registered their third-highest attack percentage in program history and third-straight season-opening victory in their five years as a program. The ended the 2020 season 14-4 and 0-0 in DI Independe. For more information on the Railsplitters, click here.
With spectators now allowed in attendance, except for essential personnel, the game can be streamed via the GLVC Sports Network. The Official Streaming service for the McKendree University Bearcats.
