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Opposite Shane Wetzel put an end to the McKendree dream season.
Wetzel finished with both a match-high three aces and 10 kills as the No. 3 seed Ohio State swept the No. 2 seed McKendree 25-22, 25-19, 25-19 in the MIVA Tournament semifinals on Wednesday in Lebanon, Illinois.
The All-MIVA pin-hitter with Ohio State leading 21-19 opening game had a kill and then an ace on back-to-back plays as part of a 4-0 run to help secure the win. In addition, Wezel opened the second game with an ace and finished with a game-high four kills.
This is the second time in the last three seasons that Ohio State on the road has defeated the MIVA regular season champions.
McKendree entered the postseason after earning a share of the MIVA regular season championship for the first time in program history and setting a single-season program record for wins. It also was the program’s first home match in the MIVA Tournament semifinals.
Ohio State out-hit McKendree .228 to .193 and had two players finish with more than a .400 attack percentage.
Outside attacker Kyle Teune had seven kills on a .429 attack percentage, while middle attacker Thomas Leahey contributed five kills and hit .444. Freshman outside attacker Stanislaw Chacinski added nine kills against McKendree.
Middle attacker Cole Young and setter Daniel Henwood Rodriguezeach led the Buckeyes defensively with five blocks.
McKendree setter Nathan Flayter along with guiding the offense had a team-high six kills and zero errors on a .667 attack percentage.
Ohio State with this victory will advance to play the No. 1 seed Loyola in the MIVA Tournament finals on Saturday. Loyola swept the No. 4 seed Lewis in its semifinal match on Wednesday.
Loyola and Ohio State have combined to win all but four MIVA Tournament championships since 2008.