Mastodons Open MIVA Tournament at No. 2 Ohio State

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The IPFW men's volleyball team opens the MIVA Tournament at top-seeded Ohio State. The Buckeyes, ranked second nationally, and Mastodons are set for a 7 p.m. start on Sunday, April 17 at St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Gameday Information at #2 Ohio State

When: Sunday, April 17 | 7 p.m.
Where: Columbus, Ohio | St. John Arena (13,276)
Live Stats: Ohio State Live Stats
Live Video: Ohio State Video Stream (subscription required)
Tickets: Ohio State Box Office
Series History: IPFW trails 37-71
Last Meeting: IPFW 0, Ohio State 3 | March 26, 2016 | Fort Wayne, Ind.

IPFW Mastodons 10-18, 3-13 MIVA
Coach: Ryan "Rock" Perrotte | First Season
Kills: 423 | Andrew Sellan
Assists: 802 | Michael Keegan
Digs: 268 | Luis Bertran
Blocks: 44 | David Frazee
Aces: 35 | Andrew Sellan
Attack %: .324 | Kyle Fitzgerald

#2 Ohio State Buckeyes 25-3, 15-1 MIVA
Coach: Pete Hanson | 31st Season
Kills: 451 | Nicolas Szerszen
Assists: 970 | Christy Blough
Digs: 212 | Gabriel Domecus
Blocks: 71 | Blake Leeson
Aces: 46 | Nicolas Szerszen
Attack %: .401 | Nicolas Szerszen

Second Season...

   IPFW has reached the MIVA Tournament for 32-consecutive years, cumulating a 22-28 record. The Mastodons are 5-11 all-time against the Buckeyes in the MIVA Tournament, but have won the previous two postseason meetings in 2014 and 2007, both ending in sweeps.
   The Blue and White have combined for a 7-8 record in the MIVA Tournament during the Mastodons' previous 10 appearances, including a six-match winning streak during the 2006-07 tournaments. IPFW is 6-4 when playing in Columbus during the MIVA Tournament.
   The 'Dons have gone 3-1 in the previous four matches postseason matches played in Columbus, with the lone loss coming to top-ranked UC Irvine in the 2007 NCAA Championship match.

All-MIVA Honors...

The Mastodons placed three on the All-MIVA Teams, highlighted with Luis Bertran and Andrew Sellan being selected to the First Team. Despite missing half the season due to injury, Alex Harthaller was named an All-MIVA Honorable Mention. Bertran leads the MIVA in digs (268), while Sellan leads the conference in kills (423). Harthaller is tied second in MIVA aces per set (0.41)

Tough Nut to Crack...

The Mastodons and Buckeyes renew their rivalry as Ohio State holds the all-time advantage, 71-37, over the 'Dons. IPFW has dropped the last four meetings with the Buckeyes, but held a four-match winning streak from March 23, 2013-April 19, 2014, including a 3-0 sweep in the MIVA Quarterfinals. The Blue and White's longest winning streak over OSU was 10 matches from January 27, 1990-April 18, 1992. Sunday's match will mark the second-highest ranking by an Ohio State team that IPFW has faced. The previous high was earlier this season when the 'Dons fell in straight sets to top-ranked Ohio State on March 26. IPFW is 30-50 all-time against a ranked Buckeyes team, with the last win coming on March 5, 2014, when OSU was ranked 14th.

Deuces Wild...

IPFW has not fared well against the No. 2 nationally ranked team, going 1-9 with the only win coming against Penn State on April 2, 1994 when IPFW swept the Nittany Lions. The Blue and White have not earned a set win over the second-ranked national team since playing against UC Irvine in the 2007 NCAA Championship match in 2007. The 'Dons have never faced Ohio State when the Buckeyes are ranked second nationally.

In the Buckeye State...

The Mastodons are 29-49 all-time in the state of Ohio, including a 13-39 record against the Buckeyes in Columbus. IPFW and Ohio State have split the last eight meetings as OSU holds a 2-1 advantage in Columbus during that stretch.
The 'Dons are 6-4 in the MIVA Tournament for matches played in Columbus, splitting six meetings with the Buckeyes. IPFW is 3-1 in the last four postseason matches played in Columbus, winning the MIVA Tournament in 2007 with wins over #6 Ohio State and #11 Loyola, followed by an NCAA Semifinal victory over #1 Pepperdine. The Mastodons fell to UC Irvine in the NCAA Championship in 2007 when Ohio State hosted the tournament. IPFW has won the previous two meetings over the Buckeyes in the MIVA Tournament when playing in Columbus.

Diggin' Up History...

With his performance against No. 8 Loyola on February 20, senior libero Luis Bertran broke the IPFW career mark for most digs, previously held by All-American Jay Golsteyn (1986-89). Golsteyn held the record for 27 years when he accumulated 816 digs during his collegiate career.

IPFW Career Digs Leaders

Rk	Digs	Name (Sets Played)	Years Played
1.	961	Luis Bertran (392)	2013-Pres.
2.	816	Jay Golsteyn (392)	1986-89
3.	778	Tony Luhning (401)	1988-91
4.	771	Lloy Ball (436)	1991-94
5.	747	Raul Papaleo (448)	1990-93
6.	707	Eddie Rivera (385)	2011-14
7.	674	Matt Zbyszewski (377)	2001-05
8.	647	Norman Almodovar (392)	1991-94
9.	626	Tom Juhnke (421)	1989-92
10.	624	Hector Soto (337)	1997-00

Staying Active...

Luis Bertran is the active career leader in both digs (961) and digs per set (2.45) amongst Division I participants, while sitting fourth overall amongst all divisions for career digs.
Andrew Sellan ranks second for Division I active career leaders in kills (1,340) and fifth in kills per set (3.61), while sitting second in Division I attempts (2,989) and third in attempts per set (8.06). Sellan is also tied fifth in Division I aces (104). Amongst all divisions, Sellan is fifth in kills and attempts, while sitting sixth in attempts per set and seventh in kills per set. Only Mike Michelau of Erskine is above Sellan in Division I active career leaders in kills (1,598) and attempts (3,453).

In the Ranks...

The Mastodons are currently ranked seventh nationally in digs per set and in the top-20 for blocks per set (15th), aces per set (17th), kills per set (19th), assists per set (20th). Andrew Sellan ranks fourth nationally in kills per set (4.41) and points per set (5.06). Luis Bertran (2.60 digs per set) sits ninth nationally. Michael Keegan is 24th in assists per set (9.44) while David Frazee is 20th in blocks per set (1.03).

On the Attack...

With his performance at No. 10 Penn State (Jan. 23), Andrew Sellan became the 18th men's volleyball student-athlete in IPFW history to reach 1,000 career kills. Additionally, Sellan became just the seventh Mastodon to reach the 1,000 kill milestone in the rally scoring era (2001-present). Hector Soto (1997-2000) leads IPFW career kills with 2,193.

1,000 Career Kills (Rally Score Era)

Rk	Digs	Name (Hitting Pct.)	Years Played
1.	1,703	Matt Zbyszewski (.292)	2001-05
2.	1,582	Jeff Ptak (.287)	1999-03
3.	1,531	C.J. Macias (.266)	2006-08
4.	1,340	Andrew Sellan (.240)	2012-Pres.
5.	1,310	Darryl Shank (.263)	2008-11
6.	1,107	Eddie Rivera (.248)	2011-14
7.	1,071	Arcangel Ruiz (.304)	2000-03

*Regulation set scoring was lowered from 30 points to 25 at the beginning of the 2011 season

Solid as a Rock...

Head coach Ryan "Rock" Perrotte is in his 17th year with IPFW, and first as the head coach. During his time as a Mastodon, Perrotte has been a part of 450 matches, going 266-187 (.587). As a student-athlete, Perrotte helped the 'Dons to a 22-5 record in 1999, winning the MIVA Tournament and reaching the NCAA Final Four against Long Beach State (L, 3-2). As the assistant coach, Perrotte helped the Blue and White win back-to-back MIVA Tournaments and reaching the NCAA Final Four in 2006 and 2007. During those seasons, the 'Dons went a combined 46-15, reaching the NCAA Championship against UC Irvine in 2007.

~ Feel the Rumble ~

Mastodons Open MIVA Tournament at No. 2 Ohio State

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Luis Bertran

Kyle Fitzgerald

David Frazee

Alex Harthaller

Michael Keegan

Andrew Sellan

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics

Mastodons Open MIVA Tournament at No. 2 Ohio State

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Luis Bertran

Kyle Fitzgerald

David Frazee

Alex Harthaller

Michael Keegan

Andrew Sellan

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