ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – The sixth ranked Lewis University men's volleyball team begins its quest for a second straight Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) title on Friday (Feb. 7) hosting McKendree at 7 p.m. at Neil Carey Arena. The Flyers (7-3) will also look to extend their win streak to five.

Last Time Out – Lewis averaged nearly 15 kills per set while hitting .477 in two wins last weekend at the Uvaldo Acosta Invitational hosted by George Mason. The Flyers began the weekend with a sweep of Barton and then swept the 12th ranked Patriots on Saturday evening. Ryan Coenen (Franklin, WI/Franklin) led the offensive attack averaging 5.33 kills per set while hitting .538. Tyler Mitchem (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook HS) hit .741 and averaged 3.33 kills per set.

Players of the Week – Coenen was rewarded for his performances last weekend as he was named the MIVA Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. In addition, Kevin Kauling (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) was named the Off the Block Volleyball Blog's National Setter of the Week after averaging 12.50 assists per set while also recording three aces and six digs.

MIVA Statistical Leaders – Coenen is ranked second in MIVA in kills with 118 and is fourth in the conference in kills per set with 3.69. TJ Murray (Barrington, IL/Barrington HS) and Mitchem are second and third respectively in the conference in hitting percentage. Kyle Bugée (Cupertino, CA, Homestead) is second in service aces per set (0.64) and Kauling is fourth in assists per set with 9.63.

About McKendree – The Bearcats enter Friday's contest with a record of 6-4 after picking up home wins over Urbana and Tusculum last weekend. McKendree brings a three-match winning streak into Friday's contest and has won five of its last seven matches overall. Zach Schnittker leads the Bearcat offense with an average of 2.65 kills per set while Patrick Ross is averaging 2.19 per set and Ethan Carroll is averaging 2.14 kills per set. Ryan Serrano is distributing 8.08 assists per set while Francisco Comas leads the way on the back line with 1.89 digs per set.

Series vs. McKendree – Lewis has won 11 of the 12 meetings against the Bearcats including three straight. The Flyers won all three matches last season taking nine of 10 sets. Lewis is 7-0 all-time against McKendree at Neil Carey Arena.

Up Next – The Flyers head out on the road next weekend traveling to Ohio State and Ball State for a pair of matches. Lewis will take on the 15th ranked Buckeyes next Thursday at 6 p.m. (CST) and will face the Cardinals on Saturday at 6 p.m. (CST).