Rivera Leads IPFW Past George Mason

Saturday, February 8

Fairfax, Va.

7 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

5-2

George Mason

4-4

IPFW

George Mason

2/8/2014 10:41:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

BOX SCORE | BOX SCORE (.pdf) | BOX SCORE (.html)

FAIRFAX, Va. – Senior Eddie Rivera led the IPFW men's volleyball team with a match-high 16 kills and eight digs as the Mastodons defeated George Mason 3-1 (25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 25-18) on Saturday night inside the Recreation and Athletic Complex. The 'Dons are now 4-1 in matches played away from the Gates Sports Center and improved their record to 5-2 on the season – the best start for the program since 2008.

Ramon Burgos and Nick Smalter joined Rivera in double-digit kills finishing with 10 apiece while Burgos also added seven blocks. Bryan Saunders chipped in nine kills and five blocks and Omar Rivera handed out 47 assists.

The IPFW offense was clicking early on hitting an impressive .545 with 14 kills against just two errors in the opening set. Even though the Mastodons fell behind 3-0 right away, their efficient attack kept things close, eventually allowing them to take their first lead of the night at 19-18. The two squads went back and forth from there until Burgos slammed down a kill to give the 'Dons the first set 25-23.

As good as things were going for the offense in the first frame, the Mastodons struggled to mount any attack in the second. The teams traded points early on, but George Mason turned several IPFW errors into a 6-1 run en route to claiming the second set 25-21.

The Patriots had all the momentum entering the third set, and looked to be in position to take a two-sets-to-one lead holding a 20-13 advantage. However, IPFW stormed back and ended the stanza on a 12-3 run led by three kills from Rivera to stun the home team.

In the final set of the night, it was the IPFW defense that shined. Luis Bertran picked up seven digs in the stanza and the 'Dons combined for five total blocks to limit George Mason to a .000 hitting percentage. Tied 4-4 early, a 6-2 run gave the Mastodons a lead they would not surrender. IPFW would extend its advantage to 20-13 on their way to winning the set and the match.

The Mastodons hit .252 for the match with 53 kills while registering a season-high 13.5 blocks, which helped limit George Mason to 39 kills and a .162 attack percentage.

IPFW wraps up its four-match road swing with trips to conference foes Lindenwood and Quincy next weekend. The 'Dons will face off against the Lions in St. Charles, Mo. on Friday, February 14 before battling the Hawks in Quincy, Ill. on Saturday, February 15. Both matches are slated to start at 8 p.m. EST.

~ Feel the Rumble ~