IPFW Shocks #6 Lewis in MIVA Opener

Friday, February 3

Fort Wayne, Ind.

7:00 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

6-3, 1-0

Lewis

6-3, 0-1

LEWIS

IPFW

Photo by: Lucas Carter

2/3/2012 9:41:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

BOX SCORE

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Senior Ivan Matos blasted a career-high 21 kills, while freshman Omar Rivera tallied a career-best 57 assists, as the IPFW men's volleyball team upsets #6 Lewis in five sets Friday evening at the Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne, Ind.

IPFW wins its third straight match and improves to 6-3 (1-0 MIVA) this season. Lewis drops to 6-3 (0-1 MIVA) with the road loss.

The Mastodons moved out slowly in the first set, as Lewis took an early 6-3 lead, forcing a timeout from the home team. Out of the break, Elon Fyfield blasted a kill to ramp up the 'Don offense and home crowd. The visitors, however, quickly recovered and increased their advantage to nine at 20-11. Holding the lead to set point, the Flyers earned a kill off the arm of Greg Petty to clinch the first frame, 25-15.

In the second set, IPFW stepped up its attack along the frontline, earning a 4-2 lead after Rob Samp and Matos powered back-to-back kills. Moments later, Corey Frain earned his first point of the night, giving IPFW an 8-5 advantage. At 13-11 in favor of the home team, Eddie Rivera earned the serve and tagged two straight aces to make the score 15-11. Despite a late Lewis comeback attempt, O.Rivera blasted a service ace on set point to hand IPFW set two, 25-23.

Lewis regained the match's momentum in the third frame, climbing in front 9-5, as Flyer Ian Karbiener notched three early kills. The visitors carried the advantage to 15-12, then to 20-15. Off a team block from Matos and Samp, IPFW pulled within two at 22-20, leading to a Flyer timeout. The quick break helped Lewis revamp its offense, as it pulled away to win set three, 25-22.

The teams traded points in the fourth set, before Matos and Frain once against teamed up for a block to put IPFW ahead 13-11. Lewis answered back a short time later with a kill from Jay Petty and an ace from G. Petty to gain the lead at 15-14. Not shaken, the Mastodons marched back and regained the lead by three at 19-16 after another powerful Matos kill. The 'Dons carried the newly found momentum into set point at 24-22, where Frain took a pass from O. Rivera, then tagged a kill to midcourt to force a fifth set.

In the final frame, kills from Matos and E. Rivera gave the 'Dons an 8-5 lead, as the teams changed ends midway through the set. A point from Bryan Saunders moments later ignited the Mastodon faithful, taking the match to its final play. On match point, Matos blasted his 21st kill on the night to secure the IPFW victory.

Matos led the way with 21 kills, while E. Rivera notched 13. Frain totaled nine kills, while Saunders came away with six. JW Kieckhefer tallied 13 digs. O. Rivera had a career night with 57 assists and seven digs. J. Petty of Lewis managed a game-high 22 kills in the loss.

IPFW's last win over a ranked team came last season against #14 Lewis, 3-2 in Romeoville, Ill.

The Mastodons will return to action on Friday, Feb. 10, when they welcome defending national champion Ohio State to the Gates Sports Center. Match time is set for 7 p.m. EST.

~Feel the Rumble~