The No.12 McKendree University men's volleyball teams opened its two-game series with Ball State University Friday evening, with a win. The Bearcats defeated the Cardinals in four sets (25-15, 25-22, 18-25, 25-17).

No.12 McKendree opened up the match with a quick 7-2 lead, that force Ball State into a timeout. The Cardinals had trouble defensing against the Bearcats .557 hitting percentage and big front row. A service ace from Ethan Carroll nailed the 25-15 set win for the Bearcats.

Already with a hefty lead, the Bearcats would produce three consecutive blocks from Wyatt Dimke, Patrick Ross and Zach Schnittker, followed by a kill from Dimke to extend their lead to 10. The Cardinals would get back into the set, as close as two, with help from their pin hitters that found their rhythm. The final points went back-and-forth, but it was the Bearcats that took the 25-22 set win.

Ball State came out swinging in the third set, to take an 8-4 lead. The Cardinals kept a comfortable three-point lead through most of the set. The Bearcats scored one of the final six points, and fell in the third set 25-18.

The fourth set opened up with back-and-forth scoring, both teams holding a strong presence at the net. The Bearcats started to slowly pull away and build up to a six-point lead near the middle of the set. a kill by Patrick Ross in the middle of the court secured the set 25-17, and the match 3-1.

The Bearcats recorded their second-highest total kills of the season, with 52, with a .349 hitting percentage. Ethan Carroll led both teams with both 16 kills and 10 digs, adding in one service ace. Patrick Ross had 13 kills with four blocks, while Wyatt Dimke led both benches with five blocks. Zach Schnittker had nine kills, one service ace and one assist. Ryan Serrano had 37 assists, along with 10 digs.

Nickie Sanlin and her team will take the court one more time this regular season, on Saturday, Apr. 3. First serve against the Cardinals is scheduled for 7:00PM in the Harry M. Statham Sports Center.