Lebanon, Ill. – It took a nationally-ranked team to finally end the Maryville University men's volleyball winning streak at 13 matches. No. 20 McKendree dealt the Saints their first defeat in more than a month as the Bearcats won 25-14, 25-21, 21-25, 25-13 Saturday afternoon. For the second straight match, the duo of Makai Scott and Luke Kraft led the Saints in kills with 12 apiece. Cameron Chambers nearly recorded a double-double as he finished with 37 assists and a team-high nine digs.
 
McKendree recap
The Saints dropped the first two sets of the match as the Bearcats hit .412 and .321 to open the contest. Maryville had its best hitting mark of the contest at .333 to take set three. The Saints scored the first three points to jump on top. Cameron Lee had a kill, and after a McKendree error, Scott put down a kill for a 3-0 edge. The Bearcats got on the board but Maryville converted four straight points. After a McKendree service error, Jacob Fischer had a kill, Scott followed with two straight for a 7-1 advantage.
 
The Bearcats got to within one but Luke Van Handel had back-to-back kills to rebuild a 12-9 cushion. Maryville took control with a 3-0 spree. Kraft hammered a kill, posted a solo block and added another kill for a 16-12 lead. The Saints stretched their lead to 22-17 capped by consecutive aces by Chambers, and Scott's kill drew Maryville to 2-1 in sets.
 
The Saints looked to push the match to a decisive fifth set but Maryville had its lowest hitting mark of the night, while the Bearcats had their best. A block by Fischer and Scott tied the set, and a McKendree setting error pushed the Saints ahead 6-5. The Bearcats responded with four straight kills to surge ahead. The Saints got as close as 12-10 but McKendree took command with five straight points and the Saints never got any closer.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Luke Kraft and Makai Scott - 12
Hitting Percentage: Cameron Lee- .385
Assists: Cameron Chambers - 37
Service Aces: Cameron Chambers - 2
Digs: Cameron Chambers - 9
Blocks: Luke Kraft - 2
 
Records
Maryville: 17-4
McKendree: 12-6
 
What's Next?
The Saints play an afternoon matinee as they host Clarke University for a Noon first serve Monday, March 11, in Moloney Arena.