.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
.png&width=32&type=webp)
Purdue Fort Wayne
Grand Canyon
IPFW Sweeps Grand Canyon
2/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
Feb. 14, 2009
Fort Wayne, IN – On night two of the double header between the visiting Grand Canyon Antelopes (1-11) and the Mastodons (6-3), IPFW go off to a good start and carried the momentum to a 3-0 (30-17, 30-27, 30-20) win.
Ben Duckworth led the ‘Dons with 12 kills (12-3-19) and Darryl Shank hit nine (9-1-17). Phil Peterson connected on six kills while Nathaniel Berg hit five. Oliver Kook finished with four kills as did Ivan Matos and Eric Hardek respectively. Jonathan Meyer hit three kills.
Freshman Dan Mader carried IPFW’s offensive load with a match high 35 assists. Matt Pliske had a match-high six digs for the ‘Dons. IPFW hit 14.5 team blocks to GCU’s three.
Out of the gate, IPFW took a quick 5-0 lead in the first frame. The ‘Dons led by as many as 12 on their way to a 30-17 set one win. Sophomore Ben Duckworth had six kills (6-0-6) and IPFW hit 0.542 as a team. IPFW had eight team blocks in the first frame alone to GCU’s zero.
The ‘Dons got off to a quick start again in game two, leading 8-3, however the ‘Lopes retaliated with a 6-2 run to force an IPFW timeout. GCU took the lead at 15-13, but the ‘Dons scored four straight to retake the lead at 18-16 compelling GCU coach Chad Speer to use his first timeout of the second set. The teams traded points before IPFW expanded the lead to 24-21. Despite the match staying close, IPFW finished the set 30-27.
IPFW started five freshmen in the third frame (Corey Frain, Hardek, Chris Brigson, Meyer and Matos.) Set three started with a kill from Eric Hardek but remained close. The ‘Dons stayed on top as they gained a six point lead, 11-5. Hardek recorded two aces in a row to expand the lead, 15-7. IPFW’s consistent play continued to give them the set and match win, 30-22.
Tyson Crandell led the way for Grand Canyon with nine kills. Setter Chris Bradshaw handed out 28 assists for the ‘Lopes.
The ‘Dons next take on the St. Francis (PA) Red Flash next Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the Hilliard Gates Sports Center.
~Dons~
