IPFW Falls Short in Comeback Attempt to Grand Canyon

Saturday, March 17

Fort Wayne, Ind.

7:00 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

10-10 (2-4)

Grand Canyon

14-9 (5-1)

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
GCU	25	25	33	26	3
IPFW	20	20	35	24	1

Photo by: Lucas Carter

IPFW Falls Short in Comeback Attempt to Grand Canyon

3/17/2012 5:32:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

BOX SCORE

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Despite a late comeback attempt in the fourth set and a double-double performance from Eddie Rivera, the IPFW men's volleyball team fell 3-1 to Grand Canyon Saturday evening at the Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne.

IPFW moves to 10-10 this season and 2-4 in the MIVA with the loss. Grand Canyon improves to 14-9 (5-1, MIVA) with the win. The Mastodons still hold a 6-2 all-time mark over the Antelopes.

In a back and forth first set, Corey Frain and Ivan Matos each recorded early kills to take the score to 10-10. Still knotted at 17-17, Anthony Randolph found a hole in the Antelope defense and blasted a kill to put the 'Dons in front by one at 18-17. On the ensuing play, IPFW committed a service error, which ignited a 6-3 Antelope run to move the visitors up 24-20. On set point, Antelope Taylor Galliano blasted a kill to end the set 25-20.

The visitors earned a 3-1 lead in the second set, but a kill from Frain and an Antelope error tied the score at 3-3. All squared at 7-7, Grand Canyon strung together three-straight points to take a 10-7 lead. An exchange of points brought the game to 16-14, when Omar Rivera delivered a pass to Dan Mader, who blasted a kill to the far-court to pull IPFW within one. On the following three plays, IPFW committed three errors (two attack, one service), taking Grand Canyon ahead by five at 19-16. Despite a late Mastodon run, the Antelopes earned set point and won the frame, 25-20, after Ryan Mather sent home a kill.

In the third set, the teams exchanged points to 7-7, before Grand Canyon moved in front 13-8 after earning a trio of kills. Down 20-14, IPFW turned to E. Rivera and Mader for offense, and the duo came through in a big way, bringing IPFW back to tie the set at 23-23. Albert Klimek also made a solo block, which drew the Mastodon crowd to its feet. The set went into extra points at 33-33, when the home team pulled through, when Ramon Burgos fired a kill, then E. Rivera added a solo block to give IPFW the set win, 35-33.

Regaining the match's momentum, IPFW earned a 10-8 lead in the fourth set, thanks to kills from Rob Samp and Klimek. Feeding off 'Don service errors, Grand Canyon answered back and tied the game at 11-11. With IPFW ahead one at 16-15, the visitors strung together back-to-back service aces to take the lead at 17-16. When the visitors earned set point at 25-24, Mader went up for a kill attempt, but committed an error to send Grand Canyon home with the four-set win.

E. Rivera led all players with 21 kills and 13 digs. Mader posted 11 kills, while Burgos had 10. O. Rivera added a career-high 62 assists.

IPFW will now hit the road for its next four matches, starting with Lewis on March 23. Match time is set for 8:00 p.m. EST.

~Feel the Rumble~