Purdue Fort Wayne
Loyola Chicago
Ramblers Spoil Conference Home Opener, 3-1
1/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
Jan. 22, 2010
Fort Wayne, IN - Despite spectacular offensive performances by hitters Darryl Shank and Elon Fyfield, the Loyola Ramblers wrecked the Mastodon MIVA home opener in four sets, 27-30, 35-33, 30-28 and 30-26.
The two MIVA rivals traded serves through the neck-and-neck start until deep into the opening frame, until a Kris Berzins kill capped off a Rambler run to give his side their largest lead of the set, at 24-20. Senior middle blocker Oliver Kook had the Mastodons' answer, highlighting a 7-1 run with a kill and three blocks to put IPFW up 27-25.
A service ace from Chris Brigson and a pair of kills from senior outside hitter Darryl Shank capped off the Mastodon first set victory at 30-27.
Shank amassed seven kills on 12 attacks in the opening frame, while freshman opposite Elon Fyfield had the hot hand early, tallying kills on nine of his 11 attacks. As a team, the 'Dons hit at a .515 average in the opening set victory.
Unable to carry that momentum into the second set, though, head coach Arnie Ball found his team in an 8-3 hole early. After whistling for a time-out, Ball's mid-set adjustments paid off as his squad battled back.
After back-to-back aces by Fyfield, Shank converted on yet another kill to give the 'Dons their first lead of the set at 19-18. With tensions high, the two sides battled back and forth into bonus volleyball.
After failing to convert on three set-point opportunities, gutsy junior libero Shaun Dryden pulled off what may become the most memorable point of the season. After two Mastodon misplays, and with the ball headed for the IPFW student section, Dryden made a last-ditch diving chop at the basketball court's sideline that somehow managed to find its way across the net.
The Ramblers returned it and Jonathan Meyer fired a cross-court kill to knot the game at 32-32, capping off a fearless rally by the 'Dons. An ensuing Darryl Shank kill gave IPFW their fourth set-point chance of the night, and again the Loyola defense stifled the attack, answering with three consecutive points of their own to steal away the dramatic second set, 35-33.
In the third set, the two streaky teams exchanged runs until a 5-1 run gave IPFW a two-point advantage at 27-25. Loyola fired back with a 5-1 run of their own though, coming out ahead and taking a two sets to one lead.
With momentum on their side heading to the fourth and final set, Loyola jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. With no tie scores and no lead changes in the final frame, the Loyola Ramblers sealed the four-set victory over IPFW with a 30-26 victory.
Reigning MIVA Offensive Player of the Week Mike Bunting led all scorers with 24 kills en route to a 29.5 point night.
Darryl Shank posted a season-high 23 kills on 40 total attacks (.475) while teammate Elon Fyfield trailed close behind at 20 kills.
Setter Dan Mader set a new career-high with 59 assists as Dryden and Kook led the defensive front with 16 digs and 5.0 blocks, respectively.
The Mastodons will return to action Saturday night (Jan. 23) as they play host to the Carthage Redmen. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Hilliard Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne.
