Bearcats record first-ever postseason victory in men’s volleyball

The McKendree University men’s volleyball team recorded its first postseason win in program history Saturday night after sweeping No. 11-ranked Ball State University in the first round of the Midwestern Intercolligate Volleyball Association tournament. The Bearcats won by scores of 25-18, 25-23, and 25-23.

McKendree entered the contest as the No. 6 seed in the MIVA tournament, while the Cardinals played host to the Bearcats in Muncie, Ind., as the No. 3 seed. McKendree will advance to the semi-final round Wednesday evening against an opponent yet to be determined.

Junior opposite Maalik Walker connected on a match high 13 kills to go with six digs and five blocks. Sophomore outside hitters Nolan Rueter and Jared Wilcox each tallied nine kills with Rueter adding four digs and two blocks, while Wilcox posted three digs and one block. Junior middle blocker Wyatt Patterson went 6-9 from the field for a team high .667 attack percentage to pair with a match high six blocks.

Sophomore setter Pasquale Fiduccia handed out a match high 37 assists adding four digs. Sophomore middle blocker Brendan Schmidt added five kills and freshman libero Zach Thompson reached double digits in digs with 10 to go with three assists from the back row.

News-Democrat

This story was originally published April 16, 2016 at 9:27 PM with the headline "Bearcats record first-ever postseason victory in men’s volleyball."