LEBANON, Ill. - No.18 McKendree University men's volleyball defeated the No.11-ranked Loyola University Chicago Ramblers on Saturday evening to mark the program's first-ever sweep against the Ramblers since first playing LUC in 2014. The win also tied the program's record for most wins in a season at 14. The Bearcats are now 14-8 overall on the season and 8-5 in conference play as they prepare for their last few regular season games next week. 

McKendree kept momentum in the match, striking first with a 26-24 win in the first set followed by a 25-18 second set, and a 25-21 third set. As a team, the Bearcats delivered a season-high nine aces.  

Leading the charge for the Bearcats was junior outside hitter Tyler Tripp who recorded team highs in three categories: 12 kills, nine digs, and three aces. Fellow junior outside hitter Kevin Schuele added nine kills. Both middle blockers, sophomore Rolen Lively and senior D'Aaron McCraney, put down six kills each in the victory.  

Before suffering an injury in the second set, redshirt senior setter Tyler Poulsen notched eight digs and assisted 15 kills for McKendree. Freshman setter/right side hitter Nathan Flayter posted a career-high 19 assists. 

McCraney led McKendree with four blocks while Tripp and Flayter each accounted for three blocks in the match.  

Coming up, McKendree is back in action at home on Thursday, March 28 against Ohio State at 7 p.m. as they celebrate Senior Night.