IPFW To Face Loyola in MIVA Quarterfinals on Friday

BOX SCORE

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Head coach Arnie Ball and the #6 seed IPFW men's volleyball team opens the 2012 MIVA Tournament against #3 seed Loyola on Friday, April 20 in Chicago. First serve is set for 8:00 p.m. EST.

Opponent: Loyola Ramblers (18-11, 8-4 MIVA)
When: Friday, April 20, 2012
Where: Chicago, Ill., Gentile Arena
All-Time Series: Loyola leads 20-19 (2012 series: 1-1)
Radio: IPFW Internet Radio (Mike Maahs, play-by-play)
Live Stats: Loyola Gamecast

LAST TIME OUT
The Mastodons picked up 10 kills from Eddie Rivera, but #14 Loyola used a powerful offensive attack to stroll past IPFW, 3-1 on April 14 at the Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne. Along with 10 kills, E. Rivera added four digs. Elon Fyfield blasted nine kills, while Ramon Burgos had seven. Adam Quinn totaled 25 assists and JW Kieckhefer managed 14 digs. Loyola out-hit IPFW .205 to .192 for the match.

BACK FOR MORE
The IPFW men's volleyball team returns to the court for a 32nd season, all under the direction of legendary head coach Arnie Ball. In 2012, IPFW completed the regular season with a 13-14 overall record and 5-7 in the MIVA, finishing in a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference standings. On offense, outside hitters senior Ivan Matos, junior Elon Fyfield, redshirt-junior Phil Peterson and sophomore Eddie Rivera will lead the 'Don attack, as each is capable of accumulating double-digit kill totals. Middle hitters senior Corey Frain, junior Rob Samp, redshirt-freshman Bryan Saunders, along with liberos senior Jonathan Meyer and sophomore JW Kieckhefer will anchor the Mastodon defense. Senior Adam Quinn and freshman Omar Rivera will handle the setting duties. IPFW was picked sixth in the 2012 Preseason MIVA Coaches Poll.

SCOUTING LOYOLA
Tabbed the 2012 MIVA preseason-favorite, Loyola earned the #3 seed in this season's conference tournament with an 18-11 overall record (7-4 MIVA). The Ramblers finished the regular season on a high-note, winning eight of their last nine contests. Led by Joe Smalzer and Mike Bunting, Loyola features an aggressive and consistent offense, as the team ranks first in the conference in aces per set (1.25), and second in kills per set (12.78) and hitting-percentage (.279). Smalzer (3.52) and Bunting (3.44) rank fifth and sixth, respectively, against MIVA opponents in kills per frame. Matt Mirick is fourth nationally in assists per set (10.92), while Peter Jasaitis is second in the country in digs pet game (2.72). Former Rambler standout and current head coach Shane Davis is in his ninth season. Loyola is 10-3 at home this season.

HISTORY LESSON: MASTODONS VS. RAMBLERS
The two programs will meet for the 40th time in history, and the third time in 2012. The season series is tied at 1-1, with each team picking up a win on the road. Back on Feb. 24 in Chicago, the 'Dons fell behind 2-0 in the contest, but stormed back to win the next three sets to down the #14 Ramblers on their home floor. Last weekend in Fort Wayne, #14 Loyola got their revenge after cruising to a 3-1 win. Loyola leads the all-time series between the schools, 20-19, and has won 10 of the last 12 contests.

AGAINST THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE
On the offensive side, IPFW stacks up extremely well statistically against the nation. In per set categories, the Mastodons rank fifth in assists (12.25) and sixth in both kills (12.96) and digs (9.54). The Royal Blue and White stand 15th in aces (1.06) and 18th in hitting percentage (.251), but 28th overall in blocks (1.96). Individually, JW Kieckhefer ranks fifth in digs (2.51), while Ivan Matos is ninth in kills (3.82) and Eddie Rivera is 17th in service aces (.31).

MR. ED'S TRICKS: RIVERA SHOWS All-AROUND GAME
Sophomore outside hitter Eddie Rivera has been a nice spark for the Mastodons this season and not just on the offensive end. Rivera, who hails from Carolina's, P.R., is second on the squad with 178 digs, while posting five games of double-digit dig totals. His four double-double performances lead IPFW, as well. Alongside Ivan Matos, Phil Peterson and Elon Fyfield, Rivera is needed on the offensive end, where he is second in total kills with 228. In two matches against Loyola this season, Rivera has totaled 18 kills and eight digs, hitting a combined .200 against the Ramblers.

WHAT'S AT STAKE
It's win and advance, or go home for IPFW this weekend in Chicago. If the Mastodons prevail against Loyola, they will face the winner of #2 Ohio State-#7 Quincy on Wed. April 25. A Mastodon victory would also mark the first conference tournament win since the 2007 season. IPFW would go onto to win three postseason matches and clinch a spot in the NCAA Final Four.

AROUND THE MIVA
Sean Sangrey (Ohio State) and BJ Boldog (Lewis) were named MIVA Offensive Players of the Week, while Michael Piechowski (Ohio State) took home defensive honors....Ohio State enters the conference tournament on a seven-match winning streak, while Quincy has lost its last six contests...After clinching the #4 seed, Grand Canyon will host its first-ever MIVA tournament game (vs. Ball State).

TEAM NOTES
On March 26, 2011, Arnie Ball earned career win No. 500 against Carthage at the Gates Sports Center. In 32 seasons, Ball has amassed a 517-385 overall record, while guiding IPFW to six NCAA Final Four appearances and six MIVA titles...Th e Mastodon roster is made up of 26 players, including six seniors, four juniors, six sophomores and 10 freshmen. By state, territory, and country, six players are from Illinois, Puerto Rico (4), New York (3), Ohio (2), Tennessee (2), Pennsylvania (1), Colorado (1), Massachusetts, California (1), Rhode Island (1), Wisconsin (1), Brazil (1) and Jamaica (1).

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics

IPFW To Face Loyola in MIVA Quarterfinals on Friday

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