Friday, March 1
Phoenix, Ariz.
9 p.m.
Purdue Fort Wayne
1
at
3
Grand Canyon
Photo by: Lucas Carter
Grand Canyon Jumps Past IPFW in Four
3/1/2013 10:25:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
BOX SCORE
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Grand Canyon Antelopes jumped past the IPFW Mastodons on Friday evening in the first of two matches during the weekend, topping the 'Dons 3-1 (25-18, 25-21, 20-25, 25-17).
Andy Sellan led IPFW with 13 kills, while Eddie Rivera added 11, and Bryan Saunders and Ramon Burgos each with seven. Luis Bertran picked up 11 digs, while Burgos had a team-high five blocks.
Omar Rivera had a team-high 44 assists, while Eddie Rivera served up a pair of aces.
The Mastodons jumped ahead briefly in the first set, leading 2-1, and the teams were tied at five apiece before the Antelopes ran off five straight points, leading 10-5 after a triple block, forcing IPFW into a timeout.
IPFW closed to within as few as three; however, could not get any closer the rest of the set in a 25-18 opening-set win.
IPFW jumped ahead 5-2 early in the second set before the Antelopes responded with a 9-2 run to lead by four at 11-7. Despite seeing IPFW close to within one including as late as 18-17; however, the early deficit was too much, as the 'Dons fell 25-21 in the second set.
After the intermission, IPFW ran off two straight points to open the set, and never trailed in the frame. The teams were tied at 17 apiece before the 'Dons ran off two straight, capped by an Anthony Randolph kill, as IPFW closed the set on an 8-3 run, closed out by a kill from Eddie Rivera.
In the fourth and eventual deciding set, there were six ties and two lead changes, with the last tie coming at 6-6 before Grand Canyon scored five straight to lead 11-6. The hosts never looked back, as IPFW would only close to within four the rest of the way in the 25-17 GCU win.
IPFW and Grand Canyon had an identical total of 53 kills, while IPFW hit .208 (53 kills, 26 errors, 130 attempts), and Grand Canyon .366 (53 kills, 12 errors, 112 attempts).
Grand Canyon was led by Ben Ponnet who had 17 kills, while Ryan Mather added 11. Kevin Smith dished out a game-high 49 assists, while Trent Bruns had a match-high 14 digs.
The two teams meet back up tomorrow evening at 8 p.m. EST in the second of two games of the yearly MIVA series between the two teams.
~ Feel the Rumble ~
PFW vs Maryville (Men's Volleyball)
Tuesday, March 11
PFW vs Thomas More (Mens Volleyball)
Friday, March 07
PFW vs Lindenwood (Mens Volleyball)
Friday, February 28
PFW vs Queens (Mens Volleyball)
Thursday, February 13
