Spencer, Mastodons, Ace Jackrabbits 3-0

Friday, September 23

Fort Wayne, Ind.

7:00 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

8-5, 2-1Summit

South Dakota State

11-5, 3-1Summit

South Dakota State

IPFW

Emily Spencer's five service aces were a new career-high for the freshman

9/23/2011 9:17:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Behind a career-high five service aces from freshman Emily Spencer, and a career-high 13 kills from Megan Wiler, the IPFW Mastodons swept the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State on Friday evening 25-22, 25-20, 25-22.

Wiler's 13 kills were a match-high, while Spencer and Jessie Manwaring each totaled 11 kills. Tessa McGill put up a match-high 18 digs, while Spencer chipped in 10 for her 10th double-double of the season.

Alli Hook had three total blocks, while Emenhiser added two. Megan Steenhuysen dished out 38 assists, while missing a double-double with nine digs.

South Dakota State (11-5, 3-1 Summit League) jumped out to a quick 6-5 lead to open the match, before the 'Dons scored five straight to earn a 10-6 advantage, one they would not give up for the rest of the set. The advantage grew to as many as six at 21-15 before the 'Jacks made it interesting by scoring five of the next six points, cutting the gap to just two at 22-20; however, a 3-2 run to end the set, capped by a Spencer kill, ended the threat.

The Mastodons scored the first two points of the second set, before the Jackrabbits fought back, leading by as many as two at 10-8, and leading by one at 13-12 before IPFW got six consecutive points to lead 18-13. After an IPFW attack error ended the run, the Mastodons forced a sideout, and then used three consecutive service aces from Spencer, scoring five straight points in all, leading by nine at 23-14 before cruising to the 25-20 second-set win.

The third and final set saw a dozen tie scores and six lead changes, as each team had a number of 3-0 and 4-0 runs during the early goings of the frame. South Dakota State led by one late in the set at 21-20 before Wiler took matters into her own hands, recording four consecutive kills during a stretch, and had five of the match's final six kills, helping push the Mastodons to the 25-22 third-set, and match-deciding win.

Kelli Fiegen had a team-high eight kills while Kaitlin Klingemann, Bailey Philippot, and Ellyce Youngren each had seven kills. Kelly herrmann had 15 digs and four blocks, while Shay Birath added eight digs.

The Mastodons remain at home on Saturday, September 24 when the team plays host to the defending Summit League Tournament Champions Bison of North Dakota State with first serve slated for 7:00 PM at the Hilliard Gates Sports Center.

~Dons~