Friday, January 13
Fairfax, Va.
7:00 PM
Purdue Fort Wayne
at
George Mason
Men's Volleyball Travels to Face George Mason, St. Francis (Pa.) in Weekend Slate
1/12/2012 10:32:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
GAME NOTES
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Sitting at 1-1 on the 2012 season, the IPFW men's volleyball will play a pair non-conference contests this weekend, starting with George Mason on Fri. Jan. 14, followed by St. Francis on Jan. 15. Both matches begin at 7:00 p.m. EST.
BACK FOR MORE
The IPFW men's volleyball team returns to the court for its 32rd season, all under the direction of legendary head coach Arnie Ball. In 2012, IPFW welcomes back five starters from last season's squad that ended 16-12 overall and 5-7 in the MIVA, leading to a fifth place finish the conference standings. On offense, outside hitter senior Ivan Matos, along with junior Elon Fyfield, junior Phil Peterson and sophomore Eddie Rivera will lead the 'Don attack, as each is capable of hitting for double-digit kill totals. Middle hitters junior Rob Samp and senior Corey Frain, with sophomore libero JW Kieckhefer will anchor the Mastodon defense this season. Freshman Jonathon Rivera will see his first action at setter on the IPFW offense.
PRESEASON SELECTION
The Mastodons were picked to finish sixth in the 2012 MIVA Preseason Coaches Poll. Loyola was selected as the conference favorite, followed by Ohio State, Lewis, Ball State, and Quincy. Grand Canyon finished one spot behind IPFW for seventh place.
LAST TIME OUT
Phil Peterson recorded 16 kills and five digs, but costly team errors on both sides of the net lifted Puerto Rico to a four-set (25-21, 24-26, 25-21, 35-33) victory over IPFW on Jan. 7 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. IPFW is 1-1 on the young 2012 season.
SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS
After posting a 17-11 overall record and an 8-2 mark in conference play last season, George Mason (0-0) returns 12 letterwinners in 2012. Junior outside hitter Mark Jones, who earned First Team All-EIVA accolades a season ago, will pace the Patriot offense, as he totaled 424 kills in 2011. Junior Javier Perez takes over the reins at the setter position, while junior outside hitter Max McFarland recorded 109 kills last season. George Mason, who was picked to finish second in the 2012 Preseason EIVA Coaches Poll, is 21-20 all-time against IPFW. The Mastodons won the last meeting 3-1 on March 4, 2011, in Fort Wayne. Fred Chao is in his 15th season as head coach.
SCOUTING THE RED FLASH
A season after recording a 10-19 overall record, St. Francis (Pa.) (0-0) welcomes back five starters and a boatload of experience this season, starting with outside hitter Logan Patterson. The 6-6 sophomore led the team with 282 kills in 2011, while managing a team-best 19 service aces. Senior middle hitter John Skarupa will protect the net for the Red Flash, as he totaled 55 blocks as a junior. Senior setter Ryan Williams is back and brings with him 890 assists from a year ago. St. Francis was picked to finish fourth in the 2012 Preseason EIVA Coaches Poll. IPFW defeated St. Francis 3-0 on April 15, 2011 in Fort Wayne. The Red Flash is 4-6 all-time against IPFW. Mike Rumbaugh returns for a 14th season as head coach.
MASTODON SPOTLIGHT: IVAN MATOS
One question heading into the 2012 season for IPFW is who will replace two-time All-MIVA selection Darryl Shank, the leader of the Mastodon offense the last three seasons. While the 'Dons have many suitors to fill the void left by Shank, outside hitter Ivan Matos has an opportunity to become an all-league selection in 2012, as he finished third on the team in kills last season with 222. The 6-4 high-flying senior will be looked upon early to provide the Mastodon scoring, while protecting the net defensively alongside teammates Corey Frain and Ron Samp.
GATES GETS A FACELIFT
Out with old, in with the new. The Hilliard Gates Sports Center now features seat-back chairs and white painted walls in the 2,300 seat gymnasium. In addition, a new indoor track, fitness center, weightroom and wellness center make up the storied building that has been called the home of IPFW Athletics since 1981.
TEAM NOTES
IPFW will turn to freshman Jonathon Rivera as the team's setter this season. Rivera comes to IPFW from Toa Alta, Puerto Rico... On March 26, 2011, Arnie Ball earned win No. 500 against Carthage at the Gates Sports Center. In 32 seasons, Ball has amassed a 505-372 overall record, helping guide IPFW to six NCAA Final Four appearances and six MIVA titles...The Mastodon roster is made up of 26 players, including six seniors, four juniors, six sophomores and 10 freshman.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Sitting at 1-1 on the 2012 season, the IPFW men's volleyball will play a pair non-conference contests this weekend, starting with George Mason on Fri. Jan. 14, followed by St. Francis on Jan. 15. Both matches begin at 7:00 p.m. EST.
BACK FOR MORE
The IPFW men's volleyball team returns to the court for its 32rd season, all under the direction of legendary head coach Arnie Ball. In 2012, IPFW welcomes back five starters from last season's squad that ended 16-12 overall and 5-7 in the MIVA, leading to a fifth place finish the conference standings. On offense, outside hitter senior Ivan Matos, along with junior Elon Fyfield, junior Phil Peterson and sophomore Eddie Rivera will lead the 'Don attack, as each is capable of hitting for double-digit kill totals. Middle hitters junior Rob Samp and senior Corey Frain, with sophomore libero JW Kieckhefer will anchor the Mastodon defense this season. Freshman Jonathon Rivera will see his first action at setter on the IPFW offense.
PRESEASON SELECTION
The Mastodons were picked to finish sixth in the 2012 MIVA Preseason Coaches Poll. Loyola was selected as the conference favorite, followed by Ohio State, Lewis, Ball State, and Quincy. Grand Canyon finished one spot behind IPFW for seventh place.
LAST TIME OUT
Phil Peterson recorded 16 kills and five digs, but costly team errors on both sides of the net lifted Puerto Rico to a four-set (25-21, 24-26, 25-21, 35-33) victory over IPFW on Jan. 7 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. IPFW is 1-1 on the young 2012 season.
SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS
After posting a 17-11 overall record and an 8-2 mark in conference play last season, George Mason (0-0) returns 12 letterwinners in 2012. Junior outside hitter Mark Jones, who earned First Team All-EIVA accolades a season ago, will pace the Patriot offense, as he totaled 424 kills in 2011. Junior Javier Perez takes over the reins at the setter position, while junior outside hitter Max McFarland recorded 109 kills last season. George Mason, who was picked to finish second in the 2012 Preseason EIVA Coaches Poll, is 21-20 all-time against IPFW. The Mastodons won the last meeting 3-1 on March 4, 2011, in Fort Wayne. Fred Chao is in his 15th season as head coach.
SCOUTING THE RED FLASH
A season after recording a 10-19 overall record, St. Francis (Pa.) (0-0) welcomes back five starters and a boatload of experience this season, starting with outside hitter Logan Patterson. The 6-6 sophomore led the team with 282 kills in 2011, while managing a team-best 19 service aces. Senior middle hitter John Skarupa will protect the net for the Red Flash, as he totaled 55 blocks as a junior. Senior setter Ryan Williams is back and brings with him 890 assists from a year ago. St. Francis was picked to finish fourth in the 2012 Preseason EIVA Coaches Poll. IPFW defeated St. Francis 3-0 on April 15, 2011 in Fort Wayne. The Red Flash is 4-6 all-time against IPFW. Mike Rumbaugh returns for a 14th season as head coach.
MASTODON SPOTLIGHT: IVAN MATOS
One question heading into the 2012 season for IPFW is who will replace two-time All-MIVA selection Darryl Shank, the leader of the Mastodon offense the last three seasons. While the 'Dons have many suitors to fill the void left by Shank, outside hitter Ivan Matos has an opportunity to become an all-league selection in 2012, as he finished third on the team in kills last season with 222. The 6-4 high-flying senior will be looked upon early to provide the Mastodon scoring, while protecting the net defensively alongside teammates Corey Frain and Ron Samp.
GATES GETS A FACELIFT
Out with old, in with the new. The Hilliard Gates Sports Center now features seat-back chairs and white painted walls in the 2,300 seat gymnasium. In addition, a new indoor track, fitness center, weightroom and wellness center make up the storied building that has been called the home of IPFW Athletics since 1981.
TEAM NOTES
IPFW will turn to freshman Jonathon Rivera as the team's setter this season. Rivera comes to IPFW from Toa Alta, Puerto Rico... On March 26, 2011, Arnie Ball earned win No. 500 against Carthage at the Gates Sports Center. In 32 seasons, Ball has amassed a 505-372 overall record, helping guide IPFW to six NCAA Final Four appearances and six MIVA titles...The Mastodon roster is made up of 26 players, including six seniors, four juniors, six sophomores and 10 freshman.
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