LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University men's volleyball fell to No.9-ranked Loyola University Chicago on Friday evening at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. The contest marked the second meeting between the Bearcats and the Ramblers for the 2023 season. The Bearcats move to 6-9 overall and 1-7 against Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association foes.  

McKendree took the first two sets against the Loyola 25-20 and 28-26, though the Ramblers would win three straight to claim the win with scores of 25-22, 25-22, and 15-13.  

The Bearcats were led offensively by freshman opposite side hitter Bryce Wetjen with a career-high 25 kills for a .404 hitting percentage in the five sets. Sophomore outside hitter Kevin Schuele added 15 kills while redshirt junior outside hitter Kyle Wilson tallied 12 kills and a career-high three aces.  

Defensively, Wilson snagged another career high with 19 digs as junior setter Tyler Poulsen also recorded a career-high 16 digs. Freshman middle blocker Rolen Lively collected a team-high five blocks, maintaining his 1.17 blocks per set average to rank No.9 in the nation.  

Poulsen tied his career high in assists, delivering 49 for the Bearcats against the Ramblers.  

Overall, the Bearcats recorded a season-high 67 total kills across the five sets in addition to a season-high 60 digs and 61 assists.  

Coming up, the Bearcats will be on the road to face Lewis University on Saturday, March 18 at 7 p.m.