Carthage Outlasts IPFW 3-1

Saturday, March 24

Kenosha, Wis.

8:00 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

10-12

Carthage

21-4

IPFW

CARTHAGE

Photo by: Lucas Carter

3/24/2012 8:54:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

BOX SCORE

KENOSHA, Wis. - JW Kieckhefer posted a career-high 21 digs, but the Mastodons couldn't find their rhythm on the offensive end, as Carthage pulled away in the fourth set to win 3-1 Saturday evening in Kenosha, Wis.

The Mastodons move to 10-12 (2-6 MIVA) in 2012 with the road loss, while the Red Men win their 21st match of the season (21-4), sweeping the season series in the process. IPFW remains ahead in the all-time series 5-3.

Looking to return to the winner's circle, the Mastodons moved out quickly in the first set, taking a 9-5 advantage. The Red Men rallied to tie the score at 9-9, before Eddie Rivera tagged a kill to regain the advantage for the Mastodons. The teams traded points until 22-22, when the visitors found an opportunity to pull away. After a pair of Red Men errors to make the game 25-24, Rob Samp played a serve, and the 'Dons forced another Carthage attack error on set point to win the opening frame, 26-24.

Ahead 1-0, IPFW was forced to play catch up on numerous occasions in the second set, falling back early 6-2. Thanks to kills from Samp and Omar Rivera, the 'Dons marched back and took the lead at 11-10, then increased it to four at 14-10. As the 'Dons began to turn up their offense, Carthage reeled off eight of the next 10 points to take an 18-16 advantage. IPFW ball handling errors and attack miscues fueled the Red Men run, as they earned set point at 24-23. On the final play, Connor Wexter powered a kill off a pass from Matt Yanz to hand Carthage set two, 25-23.

In the third set, the teams traded points up to 7-7, as Anthony Randolph and Corey Frain paced the Mastodon scoring with a kill each. Carthage earned the next point, then jumped in front by three at 13-10. A Randolph kill kept IPFW in contention, but led by Randy Hansen, the Red Men took a 20-16 lead as the set moved into its critical stage. Despite a late 'Don comeback attempt, Carthage continued to find holes in the visitor's defense to win the frame to win 25-19.

The home team carried over its consistent play into the fourth set, moving in front by as many as five at 16-11. A pair of points from Randolph and E. Rivera stopped two key Red Men runs, but in the end, it wasn't enough. Behind Hansen and Wexter, Carthage continued to hit on target and took the set to its final play at 24-15. Hansen took matters into his own hands on the last play, earning a kill to the far court to win the match for the Red Men.

Kieckhefer's career-night led IPFW, while E. Rivera blasted 19 kills and a career-high 20 digs. Randolph managed 11. O. Rivera dished 38 assists in four sets. Both offenses struggled on Saturday, with IPFW posting a .107 hitting-percentage, while Carthage managed a .159 mark.

IPFW will remain on the road for their next two matches, coming against MIVA-opponent Quincy on March 30 and 31 in Quincy, Ill. Both contests start at 8:00 p.m. EST.

~Feel the Rumble~