Saturday, March 16
Long Beach, Calif.
10 p.m.
Purdue Fort Wayne
0
at
3
Long Beach State
Photo by: Lucas Carter
Men's Volleyball Falls to Third Ranked Long Beach State
3/16/2013 11:27:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
BOX SCORE (.pdf)
LONG BEACH, Calif. - IPFW's attempt to knock off a third straight opponent were thwarted on Saturday evening, as the Mastodons fell in three sets to No. 3 Long Beach State by a 3-0 score (26-24, 25-17, 25-20).
The Mastodons had recently defeated No. 10 Penn State and No. 15 George Mason heading into the meeting with the 49ers. With the loss, the Mastodons fall to 9-8 on the year, while Long Beach State improves to 16-6 on the season.
Eddie Rivera knocked down a team-high 11 kills, while Andy Sellan chipped in 10, and Rob Samp seven. Omar Rivera gave out 32 assists over the three sets, as Luis Bertran had 10 digs, his sixth straight match with double-figure digs this season. Samp led the team with six blocks, while Omar Rivera had the team's only service ace.
The Mastodons led the 49ers by four at 16-12, and kept the margin at three at 20-17 before the hosts ran off five straight points to turn the three-point deficit into a two-point advantage. IPFW fought back to tie the score at 24 apiece, but the hosts answered back with back-to-back kills to close the set with a 26-24 49er win.
IPFW led briefly in the second set, and went back-and-forth with the hosts until Long Beach State rattled off four straight points to take a 9-5 lead. The 49ers would not give up the lead, despite the Mastodons fighting back to within two at 11-9. A 5-2 LBSU run pushed the hosts ahead, as they took the second set 25-17.
The third set saw six ties and three lead changes, with IPFW leading 14-13 halfway through the set. Trailing for the final time, Long Beach State opened a 8-1 run to lead by six at 21-15, and held off the Mastodons for the 25-20 third-set win.
Taylor Crabb led the 49ers with 18 kills, while Connor Olbright had 10 digs, and McKay Smith five blocks.
The Mastodons hit .164 as a team (39 kills, 21 errors, 110 attempts), and had eight blocks, 38 digs and a service ace.
The Mastodons return to action on Thursday, March 21 when the squad hosts rival Ball State for a 7 p.m. first serve. The game is also Arnie Ball Recognition Night, honoring the long-time IPFW coach for his induction into the AVCA Hall of Fame.
~ 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
