LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University men's volleyball prepares to open Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association by hosting two nationally ranked opponents on Thursday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 12.
On Thursday, the Bearcats host No. 12 Ohio State at 7 p.m. at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. On Saturday, McKendree hosts No. 10 Ball State at 7 p.m. at the MPCC.
The Bearcats come into the week 3-3 on the season after picking up a 3-0 victory over Maryville last Friday, Feb. 4. The Bearcats have won three of their last four matches including two wins at home.
About McKendree
Offensively, the Bearcats are led by graduate student outside hitter Patrick Ross (Anthem, Ariz./Boulder Creek) who has recorded 68 kills on the season for an average of 3.24 kills per set. Graduate student outside hitter Ethan Carroll (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) is second on the team with 62 kills and averages 2.95 kills per set.
Defensively, the Bearcats are led by senior libero Francisco Comas (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) as Comas has recorded 44 digs on the season for an average of 2.10 digs per set. Ross is second with 37 digs while Carroll is third with 32 digs. Redshirt junior middle blocker Jacob Gall (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) has recorded 20 blocks (four solo, 16 block assists) while Ross has 18 (one solo, 17 block assists) and redshirt senior middle blocker Tommy McGrath (Paradise Valley, Ariz./Brophy College Prep) is third with 12 (12 block assists).
About Ohio State
The Buckeyes enter Thursday's match 4-3 and have lost their last two matches on Jan. 28 at Long Beach St and Jan. 29 at UC Santa Barbara.
Offensively, the Buckeyes are led by Jacob Pasteur with his team-high 89 kills. Martin Lallemand and Samuel Clark are tied for second with their 70 kills. The Bearcats hold a slight advantage over the Buckeyes as McKendree averages 12.05 kills per set as a team while Ohio State averages 11.65 kills per set as a team.
Defensively, the Buckeyes are led by Parker Mikesch as he has a team-high 47 digs while Noah Platfoot and Pasteur are tied for second with 35 digs. Pasteur has recorded 18 blocks (two solos, 16 block assists. Justin Howard also has 18 blocks (one solo, 17 block assists).
About Ball State
Ball State enters the week 6-1 and starts the week with a matchup at No. 6 Lewis on Thursday night. Ball State recorded two wins against then No. 1 Hawaii on Jan. 29 and 31 before splitting two matches at then No. 9 Brigham Young.
Ball State is led by Kaleb Jenness as he has recorded 108 kills on the season including three consecutive matches with 19 or more kills. Angelos Mandilaris is second with 61 kills on the season.
Defensively, the Cardinals are led by Quinn Isaacson as he has a team-high 58 digs while Colin Ensalaco has 52 digs. Felix Egharevba leads the team with 26 blocks (three solos, 23 block assists). Nick Martinski is second with 20 blocks (one solo, 19 block assists).
Up Next
After the Ball State and Ohio State matches the Bearcats return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. as they travel to Quincy, Ill. to face off against Quincy.
