ROLLA, MO -- Missouri S&T suffered a 3-1 loss against the McKendree Bearcats who are ranked #11 in the national AVCA poll.
Tyler Johnwick's (Lombard, IL/Glenbard East) three blocks tonight were enough to set a new school record for blocks in a single season, surpassing
Caleb Rohlwing's (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) 59 blocks from last season.
Set 1
The Miners had a strong opening set, recording a .351 attacking percentage compared to McKendree's .251 and taking the set 25-23. Kills from
Caleb Rohlwing (Barrington, Ill./Barrington),
Aaron Sallade (Palatine, Ill./William Fremd), and Johnwick helped the Miners pull ahead early, giving them a 4-1 lead. McKendree took four of the next five points, though, tying the set at 5-5. The Bearcats pulled ahead by two points several times in the following exchanges before back-to-back kills by Sallade helped the Miners regain the lead at 15-14. After another tie at 17-17, the Miners went on a 4-1 run to take a 21-18 advantage, prompting a timeout from McKendree head coach Nickie Sanlin. The Bearcats managed to tie the set again at 22-22, but Sallade and
Nate Meyer (Arlington Heights, Ill./Hersey) combined for a trio of kills in the final four points to secure the first set for S&T.
Set 2
Four different Miners recorded kills in the first eight points, helping S&T take a 5-3 lead. The Bearcats quickly tied it at 5-5 and matched the Miners point for point until they took a 17-15 lead of their own. S&T remained within striking distance for the rest of the set, never allowing McKendree to lead by more than three until the Bearcats closed the set on a 3-1 run to tie the match at one set apiece.
Set 3
A couple of early kills by Meyer helped keep the Miners within striking distance, trailing McKendree by just two at 7-5. However, the Bearcats' hitters found their rhythm, picking up four kills in the next seven points to extend their lead to five. McKendree led by as many as seven before the Miners put together a 3-0 run to cut the deficit to four. The Bearcats pulled away again in the final points though, taking the set 25-18.
Set 4
McKendree took another early lead in the fourth and final set, pulling ahead 8-4. The Miners took three of the next four points, including an emphatic solo block from
Grogan Kraus (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell North), to cut the deficit to two. A 7-1 McKendree run would further extend the Bearcats' lead though, making it 16-8. S&T would trail by as many as nine in the set before a pair of service aces by
Owen Price (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) helped the Miners to a 5-0 run to make it 21-17. The Bearcats would prevent S&T from completing the comeback though, taking the set 25-20 to win the match.
Notable Performances
- Johnwick Record: Johnwick recorded three blocks tonight, breaking the S&T record for blocks in a single season as he now sits at 65. Additionally, his solo block in the match tied him with Rohlwing for the most solo blocks in a single season with 17.
- Sallade's Defense: Sallade led the team in digs with 13, helping the Miners set a new season-high for digs in a four set match with 44.
- Personal Records: Meyer's three block assists tied his personal single-game high while Price set a new personal best for service aces in a match with two.
What's Next
The Miners face Rockhurst on Saturday and Maryville on next Wednesday in their final two matches of the regular season.
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