LEBANON, Ill. – McKendree's men's volleyball team gave a statement 3-0 win over Purdue Fort Wayne, redeeming their 2-3 loss to the Mastodons in the team's first meeting earlier in the season. The final set scores were 25-20, 25-19, 29-27.
The Bearcats opened the first set on a 4-1 run with redshirt sophomore outside hitter
Boone Felts behind the service line, highlighted by a kill from redshirt senior outside hitter
Sam Hoskin and an ace from Felts. McKendree would keep a three-point lead until a Purdue Fort Wayne three-point run would tie the score at 7-7. A Mastodons service error would place the lead back in the Bearcats' hands, but Purdue Fort Wayne would respond with another run of three points to take control. After three Mastodons' errors in a row, McKendree would reclaim a one-point lead. With the score tied at 12, the Bearcats would come to life, going on a five-point run with Felts behind the service line once more. This run was highlighted by a kill from junior setter
Nate Flayter and an ace from Felts. Purdue Fort Wayne would narrow the gap to two points after a three-point run, but McKendree would shortly respond with their own run of three points, highlighted by kills from Felts and senior opposite
Bryce Wetjen, leaving the score at 21-17. Despite the Mastodons' best efforts to close the gap, the Bearcats put their foot on the gas, ending the set with back-to-back kills from Felts.
In the second set, an early three-point run by McKendree would put the Bearcats up one at 4-3. After a stretch of back and forth play, McKendree would go on a five-point run, with none other than Felts behind the service line. This run was highlighted by kills from Wetjen and Hoskin, and an ace from Felts to create a six-point lead over Purdue Fort Wayne. From there, points were traded back and forth, and the Mastodons would eventually cut the deficit to three points after a three-point run. The Bearcats would shortly have a response with their own three-point run, leaving the score at 21-16. Back-to-back points, composed of a kill from senior middle blocker
Rolen Lively and a Purdue Fort Wayne attack error, would give McKendree set point. A Mastodons service error would end the set, putting the Bearcats up 2-0 on the match.
With their backs against the wall, Purdue Fort Wayne put up a fight to survive and keep the match alive. The third set consisted of 20 ties and nine lead changes. McKendree had control of the set early, not letting up the lead until the Mastodons made a push with back-to-back points to take a one-point advantage at 9-10. This last only momentarily due to the Bearcats responding with a three-point run, highlighted by back-to-back kills from Flayter, to regain control. Purdue Fort Wayne had an answer with an immediate run of three points to place the lead back into their hands. Points were traded back and forth between the two teams, with neither team being able to gain momentum or create separation from the other. At 18-17, the Mastodons would find themselves on another run of three points, reclaiming a two-point lead. Back-to-back McKendree points would tie the score at 20-20. From there Purdue Fort Wayne and the Bearcats traded points between each other until McKendree would claim back-to-back points, highlighted by an ace from Wetjen, to give the Bearcats set and match point. A service error would give the Mastodons hope in extending the match, but after back-to-back kills from Felts and redshirt sophomore middle blocker
Will Klimek, McKendree was able to secure the sweep.
Offensively, Flayter led the Bearcats to a .188 hitting efficiency, dishing out 25 assists. Wetjen had the hot hand for McKendree, recording a match-high 10 kills, followed by Felts with seven kills and Hoskin with five kills.
Defensively, Wetjen led the back court, picking up a match-high 10 digs. Hoskin and Felts followed with six digs apiece. Flayter added five digs. The Bearcats tallied a total of 29 digs compared to Purdue Fort Wayne's 24. At the net, McKendree notched 6.5 total blocks (3 BS, 7 BA). Wetjen led with 2 total blocks (1 BS, 2 BA).
UP NEXT: The Bearcats will be back at the MPCC on Saturday to take on #7 Ball State a 4:00 PM. And it's Black Out!
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