LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University men's volleyball will open the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association portion of its schedule on Friday evening as the Bearcats face Lewis University at home at 7 p.m. McKendree will also face Missouri S&T on Saturday at 5 p.m. in a non-conference match up.  

The Bearcats sport a 2-3 overall record heading into its first MIVA match. In MIVA statistics, McKendree leads in team digs, averaging 9.8 per set. Junior outside hitter Kevin Schuele tops the digs category with 2.86 digs per set in addition to ranking third in hitting percentage at .410 percent. Redshirt junior right side hitter Nikos Xydakis is just behind Schuele in third at 2.71 digs per set while redshirt senior setter Tyler Poulsen and sophomore middle blocker Rolen Lively are fourth in the league in assists and blocks, respectively.  

Lewis comes to Lebanon after facing Lindenwood University on Wednesday night. The Flyers captured their first MIVA win of the season, putting their record at 6-3 overall and 1-0 in the league. Lewis is at the top of the conference in team hitting percentage (.329) and service aces (2.24 per set). Heading the service aces for the MIVA and the Flyers is Christian Prayer who delivers an average of 1.04 aces per set.  

Missouri S&T begins its second year of men's volleyball with a 3-3 overall record and will face Saint Xavier on Friday evening before coming to McKendree. This will be the second all-time meeting between the two teams as the Bearcats took the win last season 3-1. Sophomore right side hitter Aaron Sallade leads the Miners in kills with an average of 3.62 kills per set.  

Both games will be streamed on the GLVC Sports Network at glvcsn.com/mckendree.