MUNCIE, Ind. – McKendree's men's volleyball falls in a four-set battle to Ball State with the final set scores of 19-25, 20-25, 28-26, 16-20.

Set one started with a back-and-forth battle early, with five ties before the 10-point mark. McKendree held the lead for a short stint at 3-2, but a kill from Ball State's Wil Basilio, followed by a block by Patrick Rogers and Lucas Machado, placed the lead back in the hands of Ball State. This was the only time the Bearcats managed to have an edge over the Cardinals. At 8-8, Ball State really started to gain control in the set with a three-point run. The Cardinals did not let the lead slip away from them from this point on. With the score at 13-17, Ball State would go on another run of three points to take a daunting lead late in the set. The Cardinals put away set one off a Bearcats' service error.

In the second set, the Bearcats came out hot with a five-point run, taking the lead at 6-3. Ball State would respond with a three-point run of their own to quickly tie the score. McKendree would immediately go on a run of three points to regain the lead. The Bearcats would hold on to their lead up until the Cardinals would go on another three-point run with the score at 13-10 to tie the set once again. Ball State would reclaim the lead at 14-15 with back-to-back kills from Ryan Louis, where it stayed with the Cardinals for the remainder of the set. Ball State would end the set on a three-point run, ending with a kill by Louis.

Down two sets, McKendree came fighting in the must-win third set. There were a total of 18 ties and seven lead changes throughout the thrilling third set. No team led by more than two points until late in the set at 20-23 because of a kill from Ball State's Louis, followed by a Louis service ace. A service error by Louis would bring the Bearcats back within two points, which was short-lived because to follow was a kill from the Cardinals' Rogers. This resulted in set and match point for Ball State. McKendree was not done yet, going on a run of three points to tie the score at 24. The Bearcats persevered through two more match points for Ball State, ending this set on a three-point run with a kill from redshirt senior outside hitter Sam Hoskin, sending the match to a fourth set.

The fourth set was all Cardinals as they came out to an early run of four points to take the lead at 2-7. McKendree would respond with a three-point run to bring the score within two points, but at 9-12, Ball State found themselves on a run of six points to take a commanding nine-point lead. The Bearcats would attempt to chip away at the Cardinals' lead, but ultimately it was too much to overcome. Ball State ended the set and match on a McKendree attack error.

Offensively, the Bearcats were led by Hoskins with 11 kills, followed by graduate outside hitter Tyler Tripp, senior middle blocker Rolen Lively, and redshirt sophomore middle blocker Will Klimek, each with nine. Junior setter Nate Flayter dished out 35 assists while recording four kills.

Defensively, Flayter picked up 15 digs, leading all players in the back court. This marks Flayter's fifth double-double on the season. Flayter was followed by Hoskin, Tripp, and graduate libero Yadiel Diaz, each with six. At the net, senior opposite Bryce Wetjen led the way, recording four blocks, followed by Lively with three.

UP NEXT: McKendree will face the Mastodons of Purdue Fort Wayne tomorrow (2/13) evening. First serve is set for 5:00 PM CT.
 

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