LEBANON, Ill. -- Belmont Abbey rallied from two sets down to force a fifth set, but 13th-ranked McKendree took control from there, earning a 3-2 (25-21, 25-21, 22-25, 20-25, 15-3) victory over the Crusaders in collegiate volleyball action Tuesday night. The Bearcats scored 10 of the first 11 points and hit .909 in the last set.

With the result, the Crusaders fall to 10-3, while McKendree improves to 11-7.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jibriel Elhaddad tallied a season-high 13 kills, hitting .600 (13k-1e-20a). He also had two blocks.
• Zach Puentes and Caden Day also reached double figures in kills with 12 and 11, respectively. Puentes added eight digs, while Day chipped in six.
• Joseph Morris dished out 36 assists and had two digs and a block.
• Four Crusaders served an ace -- TJ Neville, Maxwell Imig, Morris and Day.
• Alejandro Leon spearheaded the defensive effort with 17 digs. His total was his second-highest this year and eighth in double figures.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey continues its spring break road trip tomorrow against Lindenwood.
• The Lions are tied for eighth in this week's AVCA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball poll.