LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University men's volleyball is set to face the newest member of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association, Queens University of Charlotte, this week. The Bearcats play the Royals on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m.  

McKendree improved to 5-4 overall and 2-1 in the MIVA after two sweeps last week against Quincy and No.11-ranked Ball State. Two Bearcats were named the MIVA Players of the Week – redshirt senior setter Tyler Poulsen for offensive and junior outside hitter Kevin Schuele for defensive. These are the second and third weekly honors for McKendree this season.  

In MIVA standings, McKendree ranks fourth by record. As a team, the Bearcats lead the conference in digs (10.43 per set) and are second in assists (12.26 per set) and kills (13.04 per set). McKendree has several individuals in the top five of statistical categories including Schuele in first for digs at 2.75 per set and second in hitting percentage at .406 percent. Poulsen is second in average assists, delivering 10.7 assists per set. Right behind Schuele in hitting percentage is junior middle blocker D'Aaron McCraney who has hit .392 percent this season.  

Queens enters the two-game outing with a 6-7 overall record and a 2-2 MIVA record after splitting with both Quincy and No.20 Purdue Fort Wayne in the past two weekends. As a team, Queens's highest ranking is sixth in both blocks and service aces. Senior middle hitter Stirling Sims is second in blocks, snagging .92 per set and hitting a team-high .349 percent.  

Both games are available via live streaming on the GLVC Sports Network at glvcsn.com/mckendree. Tickets are available for purchase with cash only at the door of the Melvin Price Convocation Center.