
No. 12 Lewis Flies over IPFW
4/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
April 18, 2009
Romeoville, IL -- The IPFW men's volleyball team concluded its regular season Saturday night falling 3-0 (30-26, 30-24, 30-24) to No. 12 Lewis University. It was the 'Dons fourth match in a row against a ranked opponent.
Sophomore Darryl Shank led IPFW with 10 kills. Freshman Dan Mader handed out 23 assists for the 'Dons and junior Matt Pliske picked up 11 digs.
IPFW’s Nathaniel Berg and Phil Peterson had three combined kills out of the gate for IPFW in the first set, but Lewis’ Nathan Klaas answered with two consecutive kills to tie the set up at 5-5. IPFW held a two point lead at 14-12, but Lewis went on a 3-0 run before IPFW coach Arnie Ball used a timeout. The ‘Dons got back to work taking another two point lead at 19-17, but three straight Lewis kills again gave the Flyers the advantage. Mike Morici logged his first service ace of the season and Dan Mader snuck in a kill giving IPFW a brief 24-23 lead. Lewis then took command going on a 5-0 run to end the set 30-26.
The second set got under way when Darryl Shank smashed a kill, and the ‘Dons went neck-and-neck with the Flyers much of the first part of the set. The Flyers capitalized on a 3-0 run to take a 15-11 lead. Oliver Kook then got a kill, but the Flyers pressure continued, gaining a seven point lead at 20-13. The ‘Dons rallied briefly forcing Lewis to use a breather, but the Flyers never let the ‘Dons get closer than three winning the set 30-24.
The third and final set began with Lewis jumping out to a 6-2 lead. IPFW setter Corey Stewart found Ivan Matos for a kill, but shortly thereafter two straight attack errors forced IPFW to use a timeout. IPFW tied things up four times in the middle of the set, but Lewis went on a late 5-0 run to all but end the match. Ivan Matos swung the last kill for IPFW as the ‘Dons lost the third frame 30-24.
All 15 players on the ‘Dons active roster played in this match, as IPFW concluded the regular season. IPFW falls to 12-14, 3-7 MIVA on the year while Lewis improved to 21-7, 7-3 MIVA.
Jonathan Meyer and Nathaniel Berg both had six kills for IPFW, as Eric Hardek added five.
Lewis out-attacked the 'Dons with a .380-.157 advantage. IPFW took 16 more swings, but the difference was, Lewis' 11 team blocks to IPFW's two. Lewis also out-dug IPFW36-29.
IPFW sits securely in fifth place in the MIVA conference and will travel to No. 4 seeded Loyola-Chicago Friday April 24, for the Quarterfinals of the MIVA Tournament. First serve time TBA.
~Dons~