ST. CHARLES, Mo. - McKendree University men's volleyball closed out its regular season schedule with two Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association contests at Quincy University and Lindenwood University this past week. The Bearcats fell to 6-15 overall and 1-13 in the league as they prepare for the first round of the MIVA tournament this weekend.  

McKendree faced Quincy on Thursday evening, falling to the Hawks in five sets. Quincy slipped away with the first set 27-25, though the Bearcats would dominate the second set 25-16. The Hawks bested McKendree by two points again in the third set 26-24, followed by a 25-19 score in the fourth set in favor of the Bearcats. In a hard-fought fifth set, Quincy narrowly claimed the win 15-13.  

Offensively, sophomore outside hitter Tyler Tripp led the Bearcats with a career-high 14 kills while redshirt junior outside hitter Kyle Wilson tallied his second double-double of the season at 13 kills and 13 digs. Junior setter Tyler Poulsen added a career-high six kills and delivered 48 assists. On the blocks, Poulsen tabbed another career-high of six blocks while middle blockers freshman Rolen Lively recorded four and redshirt senior Jacob Gall snagged three solo blocks.  

Against Lindenwood, the Bearcats battled into four sets as McKendree took the neck-and-neck first set 33-31. Lindenwood edged out McKendree in three straight sets by scores of 25-23, 25-22, and 25-21.  

Four Bearcats recorded double-digit kills including Wilson with a career-high-tying 17 kills, freshman opposite side hitter Bryce Wetjen with 14, Tripp with 11 and Lively with 10. Poulsen dished a career-best 50 assists while Tripp and Wilson collected nine digs each.  

The Bearcats earned a No.7 seed in the MIVA tournament, matching them up against No.2-seeded Loyola Chicago. Round one will be hosted by the Ramblers at Gentile Arena on Saturday, April 15 starting at 7 p.m.