Matos' Career Night Sends IPFW Over NJIT 3-1

Saturday, March 3

Fort Wayne, Ind.

7:00 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

10-6

NJIT

6-10

NJIT

IPFW

Photo by: Lucas Carter

3/3/2012 9:27:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

BOX SCORE

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Behind a career-high 22 kills from senior Ivan Matos, the IPFW men's volleyball team stormed past NJIT 3-1 Saturday evening at the Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne.

IPFW extends its winning-streak to three matches with the home win, moving to 10-6 (2-2 MIVA) overall this season. NJIT falls to 6-10 (2-2 EIVA) with the loss. IPFW remains perfect all-time against NJIT (10-0).

Tied at 4-4 in the first set, the 'Dons grabbed a 10-6 lead after NJIT committed back-to-back attack errors, while Bryan Saunders and Matos blasted kills. With IPFW ahead 19-15, Omar Rivera stepped back to the midcourt, and placed a set to a waiting Corey Frain, who tagged a kill to put the 'Dons up five at 20-15. On set point in favor of the Mastodons, NJIT moved into its offense, but committed one of its six attack errors in the frame, leading to a 25-18 IPFW frame win.

In the second set, NJIT jumped out to 6-3 lead, forcing the 'Dons to play catch up. Down 9-6, IPFW tied to frame at 9-9, thanks to a pair of Highlander errors and a Matos kill. NJIT regained lead at 11-10, and then increased it to as big as five at 20-15. The visitors took the frame to its final point at 24-19, when TJ Jurko fired a kill to even up the match at 1-1 (25-19).

The teams traded points to open the third frame, before NJIT moved ahead 9-5, as Jurko added two kills to lead the visitors. IPFW climbed back and tied the set at 14-14, thanks to a service ace from Frain. Points exchanged hands up to 17-17, when Matos and Fyfield added two straight kills to put IPFW ahead two at 19-17. Despite one final NJIT comeback attempt, the 'Dons closed the frame strong to win 25-23.

The Mastodons carried over its fine play into the fourth set, climbing out to a commanding 11-2 lead. Ahead 16-10, Rob Samp notched a kill, then O. Rivera recorded a point to carry the IPFW lead to 18-12 late in the set. As seen in the third frame, NJIT made a charge and climbed back within four at 22-18. However, IPFW ended the game strong, finishing the match with a service ace from Eddie Rivera to win the set 25-18.

Matos led IPFW with 22 kills and three assists. Elon Fyfield had a terrific night with 18 kills, while E. Rivera added 10. O. Rivera totaled 53 assists, while JW Kieckhefer notched 10 digs.

The Mastodons will return to the court on March 9, when they take part in the Active Ankle Tournament in Long Beach, Calif. The 'Dons will open the two-match event against tournament-host Long Beach State. First serve is set for 10 p.m. EST.

~Feel the Rumble~