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Purdue Fort Wayne
Loyola Chicago
Volleydons Fall in Wild MIVA Quarterfinal
4/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
April 18, 2008
Chicago, IL - There will be no return trip to the NCAA Championships for the IPFW men's volleyball team this year. The two-time MIVA tournament defending champions were ousted in the opening round tonight at Loyola in an exciting five game match, 3-2.
The 'Dons and Ramblers split the first four games of the match. Loyola took the opening game, 30-27. IPFW rebounded with a game two 30-28 win. The Ramblers took game three again by the score of, 30-27. The Mastodons evened the match and looked to have the momentum, taking the fourth, 30-25.
The 'Dons opened the fifth and deciding game on a 3-0 run after an ace by senior opposite Jason Yhost and a block by senior middle Josh Stewart.
The Ramblers called time out to break IPFW's momentum, and the tactic worked.
Loyola would tie the fifth at six-all on a kill from sophomore opposite Michael Morice.
Senior outside hitter, and 2008 All-MIVA First Team selection, C.J. Macias gave the Mastodons a, 12-10 lead with the final kill of his outstanding IPFW career.
But, after a crucial IPFW service error, and two kills by Loyola senior opposite Ian Anderson, the Ramblers tied the match at 13.
Anderson wasn't done. The big left-hander put down another ball, giving Loyola its first match point.
They would not convert as Yhost tied the match at 15 with one of his team-high 20 kills.
The 'Dons would fight of four match points, but at 19-18 Loyola, a hitting error would end the match and the Mastodons' hopes of returning to the National Semifinals for a third consecutive season.
Both teams hit for impressive numbers. The Mastodons hit .322 in the match, while the Ramblers were just a bit better at .340.
Along with Yhost's 20 kills, IPFW got 14 kills from Macias and 10 from freshman middle hitter Oliver Kook.
Seniors Josh Stewart and Brock Ullrich put down nine and seven balls, respectively in their final matches. Stewart hit .818 and led IPFW with seven blocks (one solo, six assist).
Macias led the defensive effort with 12 digs.
Four Ramblers hit in double-digits with Anderson and Nick Lamoreaux each tallying 21 kills.
No. 4 Loyola will now face top seed Ohio State on Thursday night.
With the loss, IPFW finishes the 2008 season with a record of 12-15. It is the first time since 2001 that the Mastodons have lost in the MIVA Quarterfinals (3-0 to Ohio State).
~Dons~
