
Mastodons Set to Host Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational Presented by Hyatt Place
8/23/2018 1:02:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The 2018 regular season kicks off for the Purdue Fort Wayne women's volleyball team when the Mastodons host their 17th annual Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational Presented by Hyatt Place, August 24-25. The Mastodons will welcome Liberty, Oakland and Indiana State for the two-day tournament on Arnie Ball Court.
Gameday Information
When: August 25-26
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Arnie Ball Court (1,800)
Live Stats: Sidearm Live Stats
Live Video: Sidearm All-Access (Mike Maahs, play-by-play)
Live Audio: Stretch Internet (Purdue Fort Wayne matches only)
Tournament Schedule (home team listed first)
Friday, August 25
Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons 0-0, 0-0 Summit league
Coach: Steve Florio | 5th Season
Returning Kills Leader: 396 | Nicole Rightnowar
Returning Assists Leader: 1,018 | Madison Jaqua
Returning Digs Leader: 452 | Elizabeth Britner
Returning Blocks Leader: 97 | Sydney Boerst
Returning Aces Leader: 27 | Madison Jaqua
Returning Attack % Leader: .297 | Sydney Boerst
Indiana State Sycamores 0-0, 0-0 Missouri Valley
Coach: Lindsay Allman | 2nd Season
Returning Kills Leader: 394 | Laura Gross
Returning Assists Leader: 27 | Laura Gross
Returning Digs Leader: 547 | Laura Gross
Returning Blocks Leader: 110 | Damadj Johnson
Returning Aces Leader: 21 | Laura Gross
Series History: Fort Wayne leads 4-1
Last Meeting: Indiana State 3, Fort Wayne 0 | Sept. 12, 2015 | Terre Haute, Ind.
Liberty Flames 0-0, 0-0 ASun
Coach: Trevor Johnson | 1st Season
Returning Kills Leader: 311 | Casey Goodwin
Returning Assists Leader: 746 | Amaya Williams
Returning Digs Leader: 477 | Margaret Latchford
Returning Blocks Leader: 105 | Anna Gragg
Returning Aces Leader: 15 | Victoria Baptista
Series History: First meeting
Oakland Golden Grizzlies 0-0, 0-0 Horizon League
Coach: Rob Beam | 12th Season
Returning Kills Leader: 246 | Jamie Walling
Returning Assists Leader: 1,199 | Jordan Lentz
Returning Digs Leader: 277 | Jordan Lentz
Returning Blocks Leader: 161 | Krysteena Davis
Returning Aces Leader: 15 | Lindsay Wightman
Series History: Fort Wayne leads 32-20
Last Meeting: Fort Wayne 3, Oakland 0 | Sept. 16, 2017 | Rochester, Mich.
Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational...
The 17th annual Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational welcomes Indiana State, Liberty and Oakland. Liberty and Indiana State are appearing for the first time, while Oakland will be making its sixth apperance, its first since 1992.
SIUE won the 2017 tournament. Since 1997, the Mastodons have hosted their invitational 15 times. During that stretch, the tournament was not played five times (1998, 2001, 2008, 2011, and 2014). Since 1982, the Mastodons have hosted a tournament all but seven seasons, the five previously mentioned, along with 1995 and 1996. In 1985, they held two tournaments, the IPFW Invitational and the IPFW Classic.
All-Time Participants in Fort Wayne Tournaments
1 = Now known as University of Indianapolis
2 = Now known as University of Southern Indiana
3 = Now known as University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
4 = Now known as Trine University
Active Kills Leader...
Purdue Fort Wayne senior outside hitter Nicole Rightnowar enters the 2018 season among the active leaders in Division I for career kills. Her 1,129 career kills rank her 13th. Below is a list of the active career kills leaders in Division I.
Summit League Preseason Poll...
The Purdue Fort Wayne women's volleyball team has been picked to finish tied for sixth in the 2018 Summit League preseason coaches poll. The Mastodons received 31 points, tying with North Dakota State, and two back of Oral Roberts, as coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Denver was selected as the favorite to win the 2018 volleyball crown. The Pioneers collected seven first-place votes and 63 total points in the poll. New member North Dakota was second with 55 points and the other two first place votes.
Players to Watch...
Purdue Fort Wayne player Nicole Rightnowar and Katie Crowe were selected by the Summit League coaches as a 'Players to Watch' for the 2018 season.
A senior outside hitter, Rightnowar was the 2015 Summit League Freshman of the Year, and has earned All-League honors last two season. She was second last season in the league with 396 and third 3.36 kills per set. She was also ranked second in points, third in points per set, sixth in digs, and 11th in aces and digs per set.
Crowe was an All-Freshman and Honorable Mention selections last season. She ranked top-15 in the league in kills, kills per set, aces, points and points per set. She was also 16th in digs.
Season Openers...
Purdue Fort Wayne is 24-18 all-time in season-openers after defeating Quinnipiac last season. The Mastodons have won their season-opener six of the last seven seasons. During that run, the 'Dons also defeated Loyola Chicago (2011), Murray State (2012), Duquesne (2013), Saint Francis (Pa) (2014), and Central Michigan (2015).
The Mastodons open their season in the Gates Center for the fourth time in the last five seasons. In its history, Purdue Fort Wayne is 11-7 when starting the season at home and 28-14 all-time in home openers.
All-Time Results vs. Indiana State
Overall: 4-1
League: 0-0
Home: 2-0
Away: 1-1
Neutral: 1-0
All-Time Results vs. Oakland
Overall: 32-30
League: 8-4
Home: 13-6
Away: 13-6
Neutral: 6-8
On This Date...August 24 (1-1)
August 25 (3-4)
Gameday Information
When: August 25-26
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Arnie Ball Court (1,800)
Live Stats: Sidearm Live Stats
Live Video: Sidearm All-Access (Mike Maahs, play-by-play)
Live Audio: Stretch Internet (Purdue Fort Wayne matches only)
Tournament Schedule (home team listed first)
Friday, August 25
- Indiana State vs. Liberty - 11 A.M.
- Liberty vs. Oakland - 4:30 P.M.
- Purdue Fort Wayne vs. Indiana State - 7 P.M.
- Purdue Fort Wayne vs Liberty - 11 A.M.
- Oakland vs. Indiana State - 1:30 P.M.
- Purdue Fort Wayne vs. Oakland - 7 P.M.
Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons 0-0, 0-0 Summit league
Coach: Steve Florio | 5th Season
Returning Kills Leader: 396 | Nicole Rightnowar
Returning Assists Leader: 1,018 | Madison Jaqua
Returning Digs Leader: 452 | Elizabeth Britner
Returning Blocks Leader: 97 | Sydney Boerst
Returning Aces Leader: 27 | Madison Jaqua
Returning Attack % Leader: .297 | Sydney Boerst
Indiana State Sycamores 0-0, 0-0 Missouri Valley
Coach: Lindsay Allman | 2nd Season
Returning Kills Leader: 394 | Laura Gross
Returning Assists Leader: 27 | Laura Gross
Returning Digs Leader: 547 | Laura Gross
Returning Blocks Leader: 110 | Damadj Johnson
Returning Aces Leader: 21 | Laura Gross
Series History: Fort Wayne leads 4-1
Last Meeting: Indiana State 3, Fort Wayne 0 | Sept. 12, 2015 | Terre Haute, Ind.
Liberty Flames 0-0, 0-0 ASun
Coach: Trevor Johnson | 1st Season
Returning Kills Leader: 311 | Casey Goodwin
Returning Assists Leader: 746 | Amaya Williams
Returning Digs Leader: 477 | Margaret Latchford
Returning Blocks Leader: 105 | Anna Gragg
Returning Aces Leader: 15 | Victoria Baptista
Series History: First meeting
Oakland Golden Grizzlies 0-0, 0-0 Horizon League
Coach: Rob Beam | 12th Season
Returning Kills Leader: 246 | Jamie Walling
Returning Assists Leader: 1,199 | Jordan Lentz
Returning Digs Leader: 277 | Jordan Lentz
Returning Blocks Leader: 161 | Krysteena Davis
Returning Aces Leader: 15 | Lindsay Wightman
Series History: Fort Wayne leads 32-20
Last Meeting: Fort Wayne 3, Oakland 0 | Sept. 16, 2017 | Rochester, Mich.
Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational...
The 17th annual Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational welcomes Indiana State, Liberty and Oakland. Liberty and Indiana State are appearing for the first time, while Oakland will be making its sixth apperance, its first since 1992.
SIUE won the 2017 tournament. Since 1997, the Mastodons have hosted their invitational 15 times. During that stretch, the tournament was not played five times (1998, 2001, 2008, 2011, and 2014). Since 1982, the Mastodons have hosted a tournament all but seven seasons, the five previously mentioned, along with 1995 and 1996. In 1985, they held two tournaments, the IPFW Invitational and the IPFW Classic.
All-Time Participants in Fort Wayne Tournaments
| School | # of Times | Last | Tournament vs |
| Ashland | 3 | 1997 | 3-0 |
| Ball State | 1 | 2016 | 1-0 |
| Bellarmine | 1 | 1985 | 1-0 |
| Belmont | 1 | 2005 | 1-0 |
| Butler | 1 | 2009 | 1-0 |
| California (PA) | 1 | 1997 | 1-0 |
| Central Michigan | 1 | 2015 | 1-0 |
| Charleston (WV) | 1 | 2000 | 1-0 |
| Chicago State | 1 | 2007 | 1-0 |
| Cleveland State | 1 | 2012 | 0-1 |
| Connecticut | 1 | 2013 | 1-0 |
| Cornell | 1 | 2005 | 0-1 |
| DePaul | 1 | 2004 | 1-0 |
| Drake | 1 | 2009 | 0-1 |
| Duquesne | 1 | 2013 | 1-0 |
| Eastern Illinois | 2 | 2015 | 0-2 |
| Evansville | 1 | 2004 | 1-0 |
| Ferris State | 2 | 1999 | 0-2 |
| Gannon | 2 | 1992 | 0-3 |
| Grace (IN) | 1 | 2000 | 1-0 |
| Grand Valley State | 7 | 1997 | 5-4 |
| Hillsdale | 5 | 1990 | 5-0 |
| Indiana Central 1 | 1 | 1982 | 1-1 |
| Indiana State - Evansville 2 | 1 | 1984 | 1-0 |
| IUPUI | 1 | 1984 | 0-1 |
| Kent State | 2 | 2012 | 2-0 |
| Lehigh | 1 | 2007 | 1-0 |
| Lewis | 1 | 1992 | 0-1 |
| Lipscomb | 1 | 2007 | 1-0 |
| Manchester | 1 | 1982 | 1-0 |
| Marquette | 1 | 2002 | 0-1 |
| Michigan Tech | 3 | 1994 | 2-1 |
| Middle Tennessee State | 1 | 2003 | 1-0 |
| Milwaukee | 1 | 2010 | 1-0 |
| Missouri-St. Louis | 1 | 1989 | 0-1 |
| Mount St. Joseph | 1 | 1986 | 1-1 |
| Murray State | 2 | 2016 | 1-1 |
| North Florida | 1 | 2006 | 1-0 |
| Northern Kentucky | 4 | 1993 | 3-1 |
| Northern Michigan | 3 | 1994 | 1-2 |
| Northwood (MI) | 2 | 1999 | 2-0 |
| Oakland | 5 | 1992 | 4-2 |
| Ohio | 1 | 2003 | 0-1 |
| Ohio Northern | 1 | 1983 | 0-1 |
| Olivet | 1 | 1983 | 1-0 |
| Purdue Calumet | 1 | 1982 | 1-0 |
| Quinnipiac | 1 | 2017 | 1-0 |
| Robert Morris | 1 | 2006 | 1-0 |
| Saginaw Valley | 2 | 1997 | 1-1 |
| Saint Louis | 1 | 2010 | 1-0 |
| South Dakota State | 1 | 2006 | 1-0 |
| Southern Illinois | 1 | 2013 | 1-0 |
| SIUE | 1 | 2017 | 0-1 |
| St. John's (NY) | 1 | 2004 | 0-1 |
| Saint Francis (IN) | 2 | 1986 | 2-0 |
| Saint Joseph's (IN) | 1 | 1988 | 1-0 |
| Texas Pan American 3 | 1 | 2006 | 1-0 |
| Toledo | 1 | 2017 | 1-0 |
| Tri-State 4 | 1 | 1992 | 1-0 |
| Tulsa | 1 | 2010 | 0-1 |
| UIC | 1 | 2015 | 0-1 |
| Valparaiso | 1 | 1985 | 1-0 |
| Washington | 1 | 2003 | 0-1 |
| Wayne State (MI) | 4 | 2000 | 3-1 |
| Western Illinois | 1 | 2002 | 1-0 |
| Wright State | 1 | 2002 | 0-1 |
| Xavier | 1 | 1983 | 1-0 |
| Youngstown State | 1 | 2016 | 1-0 |
2 = Now known as University of Southern Indiana
3 = Now known as University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
4 = Now known as Trine University
Active Kills Leader...
Purdue Fort Wayne senior outside hitter Nicole Rightnowar enters the 2018 season among the active leaders in Division I for career kills. Her 1,129 career kills rank her 13th. Below is a list of the active career kills leaders in Division I.
| Pos. | Player/Team | Matches | Kills |
| 1 | Taylor Louis , Iowa | 359 | 1,534 |
| 2 | Jaali Winters , Creighton | 376 | 1,392 |
| 3 | Amanda Carroll , FGCU | 334 | 1,354 |
| 4 | Carlisa May , Arkansas St. | 336 | 1,317 |
| 5 | Carlyle Nusbaum , Lipscomb | 291 | 1,315 |
| 6 | Carly Nolan , Cincinnati | 351 | 1,231 |
| 7 | Aleksandra Kazala , American | 300 | 1,218 |
| 8 | Anna Logan , Butler | 331 | 1,197 |
| 9 | Jocelyn Kuilan , Towson | 366 | 1,173 |
| 10 | Mikaela Foecke , Nebraska | 367 | 1,170 |
| 11 | Claire Archibald , Iona | 353 | 1,165 |
| 12 | Erica Haslag , Bradley | 320 | 1,145 |
| 13 | Nicole Rightnowar , Purdue Fort Wayne | 353 | 1,129 |
Summit League Preseason Poll...
The Purdue Fort Wayne women's volleyball team has been picked to finish tied for sixth in the 2018 Summit League preseason coaches poll. The Mastodons received 31 points, tying with North Dakota State, and two back of Oral Roberts, as coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Denver was selected as the favorite to win the 2018 volleyball crown. The Pioneers collected seven first-place votes and 63 total points in the poll. New member North Dakota was second with 55 points and the other two first place votes.
Players to Watch...
Purdue Fort Wayne player Nicole Rightnowar and Katie Crowe were selected by the Summit League coaches as a 'Players to Watch' for the 2018 season.
A senior outside hitter, Rightnowar was the 2015 Summit League Freshman of the Year, and has earned All-League honors last two season. She was second last season in the league with 396 and third 3.36 kills per set. She was also ranked second in points, third in points per set, sixth in digs, and 11th in aces and digs per set.
Crowe was an All-Freshman and Honorable Mention selections last season. She ranked top-15 in the league in kills, kills per set, aces, points and points per set. She was also 16th in digs.
Season Openers...
Purdue Fort Wayne is 24-18 all-time in season-openers after defeating Quinnipiac last season. The Mastodons have won their season-opener six of the last seven seasons. During that run, the 'Dons also defeated Loyola Chicago (2011), Murray State (2012), Duquesne (2013), Saint Francis (Pa) (2014), and Central Michigan (2015).
The Mastodons open their season in the Gates Center for the fourth time in the last five seasons. In its history, Purdue Fort Wayne is 11-7 when starting the season at home and 28-14 all-time in home openers.
All-Time Results vs. Indiana State
| 10/15/1977 | INDIANA STATE | W, 2-0 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 15-8, 16-14 |
| 09/08/1984 | vs Indiana State | W, 3-2 | Memphis, Tenn. | 15-12,12-15,15-9,4-15,15-8 |
| 8/31/2001 | at Indiana State | W, 3-2 | Terre Haute, Ind. | 18-30,30-21,14-30,30-21,15-13 |
| 10/16/2005 | INDIANA STATE | W, 3-0 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 30-20,30-26,30-20 |
| 9/12/2015 | at Indiana State | L, 0-3 | Terre Haute, Ind. | 24-26,25-27,16-25 |
Overall: 4-1
League: 0-0
Home: 2-0
Away: 1-1
Neutral: 1-0
All-Time Results vs. Oakland
| 10/28/1983 | vs Oakland | L, 1-3 | Allendale, Mich. | 14-16,15-8,9-15,12-15 |
| 9/15/1984 | OAKLAND | L, 1-2 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 16-14,4-15,12-15 |
| 9/22/1984 | vs Oakland | L, 0-2 | Allendale, Mich. | 13-15,9-15 |
| 9/14/1985 | OAKLAND | L, 0-2 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 8-15,11-15 |
| 9/20/1986 | vs Oakland | W, 3-0 | Detroit, Mich. | 15-4,15-8,15-12 |
| 11/1/1986 | at Oakland | W, 3-2 | Rochester, Mich. | 7-15,15-8,15-2,11-15,15-8 |
| 9/12/1987 | OAKLAND | W, 3-0 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 15-9,15-9,15-8 |
| 10/31/1987 | vs Oakland | W, 3-0 | Big Rapids, Mich. | 17-15,15-6,15-11 |
| 9/24/1988 | at Oakland | W, 3-1 | Rochester, Mich. | 13-15,15-8,15-6,15-12 |
| 9/23/1989 | at Oakland | L, 0-3 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 9-15,11-15,8-15 |
| 10/7/1989 | vs Oakland | L, 2-3 | Allendale, Mich. | 15-11,15-7,5-15,14-16,10-15 |
| 10/22/1989 | vs Oakland | L, 0-3 | Romeoville, Ill. | 13-15,5-15,14-16 |
| 9/7/1990 | vs #18 Oakland | L, 0-3 | Allendale, Mich. | 12-15,11-15,9-15 |
| 9/8/1990 | vs #18 Oakland | L, 0-3 | Allendale, Mich. | 7-15,14-16,15-17 |
| 9/29/1990 | #19 OAKLAND | L, 2-3 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 17-15,15-6,12-15,16-17,16-17 |
| 10/5/1990 | at #19 Oakland | L, 0-3 | Rochester, Mich. | 1-15,1-15,4-15 |
| 9/14/1991 | OAKLAND | W, 3-0 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 16-14,15-11,15-12 |
| 10/5/1991 | at Oakland | W, 3-1 | Rochester, Mich. | 15-9,4-15,16-14,15-11 |
| 9/4/1992 | vs Oakland | W, 3-0 | Allendale, Mich. | 15-9,15-5,15-10 |
| 9/12/1992 | OAKLAND | W, 3-0 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 15-3,15-13,17-15 |
| 9/12/1992 | OAKLAND | W, 3-0 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 15-6,15-11,15-7 |
| 10/3/1992 | at Oakland | L, 1-3 | Rochester, Mich. | 7-15,15-9,6-15,8-15 |
| 11/7/1992 | OAKLAND | L, 0-3 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 11-15,10-15,10-15 |
| 9/4/1993 | vs Oakland | L, 0-3 | Grand Rapids, Mich. | 10-15,12-15,10-15 |
| 9/11/1993 | at Oakland | L, 0-3 | Rochester, Mich. | 10-15,12-15,10-15 |
| 9/3/1994 | vs Oakland | W, 3-0 | Allendale, Mich. | 15-13,15-7,15-13 |
| 9/21/1996 | OAKLAND | W, 3-1 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 15-2,10-15,15-13,15-5 |
| 10/6/2001 | at Oakland | W, 3-2 | Rochester, Mich. | 31-33,30-24,24-30,30-22,15-3 |
| 9/4/2002 | at Oakland | W, 3-1 | Rochester, Mich. | 30-23,30-23,34-36,30-26 |
| 9/27/2002 | OAKLAND | W, 3-0 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 30-26,30-14,30-27 |
| 10/18/2003 | at Oakland | W, 3-0 | Rochester, Mich. | 30-23,30-12,30-20 |
| 11/5/2003 | OAKLAND | W, 3-1 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 26-30,30-19,30-21,30-25 |
| 10/16/2004 | OAKLAND | W, 3-0 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 30-12,30-19,30-21 |
| 10/26/2004 | at Oakland | W, 3-0 | Rochester, Mich. | 30-27,30-24,30-26 |
| 10/2/2005 | at Oakland | W, 3-1 | Rochester, Mich. | 24-30,30-25,30-26,30-17 |
| 11/5/2005 | OAKLAND | W, 3-0 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 30-13,30-26,30-19 |
| 9/23/2007 | OAKLAND | W, 3-2 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 30-18,30-16,25-30,32-34,15-10 |
| 10/21/2007 | at Oakland | W, 3-2 | Rochester, Mich. | 23-30,27-30,30-14,30-21,15-12 |
| 9/21/2008 | OAKLAND | W, 3-1 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 22-25,25-16,26-24,25-20 |
| 10/24/2008 | at Oakland | W, 3-0 | Rochester, Mich. | 35-33,25-22,25-21 |
| 10/2/2009 | at Oakland | W, 3-2 | Rochester, Mich. | 25-18,23-25,22-25,25-20,20-18 |
| 10/30/2009 | OAKLAND | W, 3-0 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 25-18,25-19,25-17 |
| 9/10/2010 | OAKLAND | W, 3-2 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 21-25,27-25,19-25,25-23,15-10 |
| 10/29/2010 | at Oakland | L, 1-3 | Rochester, Mich. | 22-25,19-25,25-14,22-25 |
| 9/17/2011 | OAKLAND | L, 1-3 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 16-25,24-26,25-17,23-25 |
| 10/15/2011 | at Oakland | W, 3-0 | Rochester, Mich. | 25-20,25-19,25-23 |
| 9/14/2012 | at Oakland | L, 2-3 | Rochester, Mich. | 18-25,25-22,18-25,25-13,13-15 |
| 10/12/2012 | OAKLAND | L, 1-3 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | 22-25,21-25,25-16,19-25 |
| 11/16/2012 | vs Oakland | W, 3-2 | Fargo, N.D. | 21-25,20-25,25-16,29-27,15-9 |
| 9/20/2013 | vs Oakland | L, 1-3 | DeKalb, Ill. | 13-25,17-25,25-21,23-25 |
| 8/30/2014 | vs Oakland | W, 3-1 | Kalamazoo, Mich. | 16-25,25-20,25-15,25-20 |
| 9/16/2017 | at Oakland | W, 3-0 | Rochester, Mich. | 25-20,25-21,25-22 |
Overall: 32-30
League: 8-4
Home: 13-6
Away: 13-6
Neutral: 6-8
On This Date...August 24 (1-1)
| 2007 | at Dayton | L, 0-3 |
| 2012 | MURRAY STATE | W, 3-0 |
August 25 (3-4)
| 2000 | CHARLESTON (WV) | W, 3-0 |
| 2006 | vs Michigan State | L, 1-3 |
| 2007 | vs Illinois | L, 0-3 |
| 2007 | vs Bowling Green | L, 0-3 |
| 2012 | CLEVELAND STATE | L, 0-3 |
| 2012 | KENT STATE | W, 3-0 |
| 2017 | QUINNIPIAC | W, 3-2 |
~ Feel the Rumble ~
Players Mentioned
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