The McKendree University men's volleyball team closed out its two-game matchup and regular season Saturday evening, against Ball State University The Bearcats finished the regular season 10-5 (9-5 in MIVA) after falling to the Cardinals in five sets (25-20, 25-15, 25-23, 27-27, 15-13).

Before the first serve, Nickie Sanlin and her team recognized four seniors and their accomplishments to the McKendree University men's volleyball program. This seniors included Zach Schnittker, Lucas Galifos, Wyatt Dimke, and Evan Gebert. Seniors Patrick Ross and Ethan Carroll were also recognized, and will be returning for the 2022 season.

The Bearcats opened up their senior night with great attacking and blocking. A kill by Wyatt Dimke sparked a four-point run that set the tone for the entire game. The Bearcats were hitting .455 and their front row was not letting anything get past the block. An ace by Hayden Frear gave the Bearcats the first set 25-22.

Ball Stats opened the second set with a series of double blocks. Matched with their on-point hitting, the Cardinals controlled the set, limiting the Bearcats to a -.033 hitting percentage. The Cardinals would easily take the second set 25-15.

McKendree's good defensive pickups and Ball State's aggressive hitting made for a close third set. A kill by Patrick Ross, and consecutive errors by the Cardinals would it the game at 22. The Cardinals would narrowly take the third set 25-23.

Late into the fourth set, the Bearcats found themselves trying to close their three-point deficit. A kill by Ethan Carroll began a four-point run by his team to tie the game at 22. A double blocks by Ryan Serrano and Galifos would send the game into a fifth set, for the first time all season. The Bearcats took the set 27-25.

The final set was the closest of the entire night. Tied at 11, the Cardinals would side out and go on a small two-point run. A kill from the right side would secure the final set, 15-13, for the cardinals and the match 3-2.

The Bearcats recorded 55 kills with a .138 hitting percentage, and lead in service aces 6-3. Patrick Ross led his team offensively with 13 kills and defensively with a season-high 15 digs, adding in one service ace. Zach Schnittker had 10 kills, with five blocks and 11 digs. Wyatt Dimke recorded nine kills, along with four blocks and one assist. Ryan Serrano recorded a season-high 48 assists, in addition to 10 digs.

pictured from left to right: Schnittker family, Galifos family, Dimke family, Gebert family, Ross family, and Carroll family.
    

    

    

McKendree will begin the postseason as the No.3 seed in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Tournament. The top-4 seeds in the conference will host the first round of Quarterfinals on Saturday, Apr. 10.