Lebanon, Ill. – Lewis University's fifth ranked men's volleyball team defeated sixth ranked McKendree in straight sets in a Top-10 showdown on Friday evening at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center in Lebanon, Ill. With the victory the Flyers improve to 11-2 overall and 6-2 in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association while the Bearcats fall to 8-1, 7-1 MIVA.

Lewis hit .321 for the match recording 40 kills against 14 errors in 81 chances and was led by Ryan Coenen (Franklin, WI/Franklin) who finished with 20 kills while Tyler Mitchem (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook HS) added seven kills. Kevin Kauling (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) finished with 33 assists and Cole Brillhart (York, Pa./Northeastern) had a match-high eight digs.

The Flyers used a 7-3 run in the opening set to extend its 8-7 lead to 15-10 as Lewis' defense forced McKendree to commit six errors in the run. The Bearcats closed to within 20-18 thanks to an 8-3 run of their own but wouldn't get any closer as the Flyers closed out the frame scoring the final five points to win 25-18.

The two sides went back-and-forth for the early portion of the middle stanza before Lewis seized control with a 6-2 run to take a 19-15 lead after a kill from Coenen. McKendree got as close as two on five different occasions but each time the Flyers were able to score and would close out the set on a Coenen kill to win 25-22.

The Flyers trailed by three early in set three before going on a 9-3 run to grab a 15-12 lead at the midway point of the frame. The Bearcats came back to tie the set at 20 on an attack error from Coenen but Lewis never allowed them to regain the lead as it scored five of the final seven points to win the set 25-22 and complete the sweep.

The difference in Friday night's rematch was from the serving line as the Flyers recorded six aces while McKendree didn't record any aces. In the first contest the Bearcats had eight aces to three aces for Lewis.

Friday's win was also the 400th career win as a men's volleyball head coach for Dan Friend. Friend is currently 334-157 in his 17th season at Lewis and was 66-40 in his three seasons at Newman. He is also seven wins shy of 500 career wins combined as a men's and women's volleyball head coach.

The Flyers return to the court next Friday (March 19) as they travel to Lindenwood for a 7 p.m. contest against the Lions.