(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 10)—The McKendree University men's volleyball team has been approved for membership into the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA). The Bearcats will officially begin play as league members in 2014-15.

"The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association is a well-known and well-respected conference in the world of men's volleyball," said Chuck Brueggemann, director of athletics at McKendree. "The teams of the MIVA play with a high level of energy and intensity, and we believe that our men's volleyball program will fit in well with that style of play. McKendree is excited to be joining one of the premier conferences in the nation, and we are looking forward to competing against some of the top teams throughout the NCAA."

Earlier this year, McKendree introduced men's volleyball as one of its newest intercollegiate sports. Head coach Nickie Sanlin will lead the Bearcats' program onto the floor for the first time in January 2014. Sanlin joined the McKendree staff as an assistant coach for the women's volleyball program prior to the 2012 season.

"I am ecstatic to join the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association and continue to move forward as a member of NCAA Division II," said Sanlin. "We are honored to be accepted into a conference with some of the top collegiate programs in the nation. Our membership in the MIVA not only helps reach student-athletes in other areas of the country, but also extends the reach of the McKendree name to students who previously would never have heard of our great University. Being a part of a prestigious conference helps us move in the right direction towards competing in the classroom and on the court at the highest level possible."

The MIVA was formed in 1961 as the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Conference and was the nation's first men's college volleyball league. The name was later changed to the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. Two charter members of the league still hold membership in the MIVA – Ohio State University and Ball State University. Other current members of the MIVA include Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Lewis University, Quincy University, Loyola University-Chicago, Grand Canyon University and Lindenwood University.

McKendree becomes the ninth member of the MIVA. The Bearcats are scheduled to begin their inaugural season of competition on Jan. 25 at the Dominican University Tri-Match in Lake Forest, Ill. McKendree will host its first-ever men's volleyball home match on Jan. 28 versus Missouri Baptist University.