LEBANON, IL--Despite three players registering double-digit kills, visiting NJIT dropped a five-set battle (22-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-17) at McKendree Friday evening in men's volleyball non-conference action at Harry M. Statham Sports Center.
Trailing 0-2, NJIT forced a fifth set after a 25-22 win in the third set and 25-22 victory in the fourth set.
In the deciding set, NJIT got off to a quick start, jumping ahead, 6-3. The Bearcats rallied back scoring four straight points and went ahead 12-10. NJIT regained the lead, 14-13, on a block assist by Alvaro Gimeno and reigning EIVA Defensive Player of the Week Luca Berger but McKendree used a 3-1 spurt to secure the 17-15 win and earn the 3-2 victory.
NJIT and McKendree, both receiving votes in the latest AVCA Volleyball Division I/II poll this week saw the Bearcats even its record to 2-2 while the Highlanders, playings its first five-set match of the season moves to 1-2. The Highlanders take on Lindenwood on Saturday at 8:30pm (ET).
Three Highlanders -- Gimeno, Julian Meissner and Jens Feldthus combined for double-digit kills in the Highlanders loss. Gimeno, who was named to the 2020 AVCA Men's Volleyball Showcase All-Tournament team last week, led the match with 17 kills on 38 attempts with just five errors for a .316 hitting percentage. NJIT middle Meissner notched 15 kills while Feldthus added a double-double with 10 kills and match-best 12 digs. Freshman Martin De Chavarria just missed notching double-digits in the kills category, recording nine on 18 swings for a .278 hitting percentage.
NJIT sophomore setter Roque Nido notched a match-high 48 assists while Berger led the Highlanders in front of the net with eight total blocks (all assists) including an .833 hitting percentage on five kills on six attempts with no errors.
Gimeno combined for seven digs and six blocks (all assists) while Meissner added six digs for the visitors.
McKendree was paced by Zach Schnittker's team-best 15 kills followed by setter Ryan Serrano's double-double, piling up 42 assists and 10 digs. Three different Bearcats notched four block assists in the match.
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