Mastodon Men's Volleyball Hosts Maryville on Friday

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Purdue Fort Wayne men's volleyball team will play host to Maryville on Friday (Jan. 19) at 7 p.m.

Game Day Information
Who: Maryville Saints
When: Friday, January 19 | 7 PM
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Gates Sports Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Tickets: Link
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Maryville | MIVA

Know Your Foe
Maryville is 1-0 to start 2024 after going 11-18 a year ago. The Saints have six games on their schedule against MIVA teams this year, including their next match against Lindenwood on January 25. Maryville's season-opening win came against Kentucky State, which saw 16 different Saints see the floor. Their best player from a year ago, Joe Nicometo, had one kill in one set of action in his sophomore season debut.

Series History
Purdue Fort Wayne is 2-0 against the Saints in the short history of the series with one win in Fort Wayne and one in St. Louis. Both were 3-0 victories for the Mastodons. Bryce Walker is hitting .667 with 3.0 kills per set against the Saints in the two previous matchups.

That Seems Good
Andrej Polomac ranks fifth in the nation and is the MIVA leader with 10.40 assists per set this season.

Efficient Hitting
Purdue Fort Wayne leads the MIVA with a .364 hitting percentage this season. The Mastodons have hit over .300 in three of the four matches this season, including two over .400.

Movin' Up The List
Jon Diedrich joined the 1,000-kill club in 2023 in a match against Charleston. He is among the 20 Mastodons that have eclipsed this mark. Here's where he ranks.
12. Andrew Sellan - 1315 (2008-11)
13. Darryl Shank - 1310 (2008-11)
14. Raul Papaleo - 1264 (1990-93)
15. Ted Owen - 1206 (1984-87)
16. Jon Diedrich - 1175 (2020-24)

Hello, My Name Is Bryce And I'll Be Your Server
Bryce Walker is nearing the program's all-time top-10 list for aces.
13. Loren Gebert - 97 (1983-86)
14. Scott Lane - 95 (1999-00)
15. Hector Soto - 90 (1997-00)
16. Omar Rivera - 89 (2012-15)
17. Bryce Walker - 86 (2021-24)

Bryce the Beast
Bryce Walker has the best career hitting percentage among active MIVA players with a .344 clip. His percentage of .332 last season was fifth in the conference.

Now Walk It Out
Bryce Walker's career mark of 86 aces is the second-most among active middle blockers in the country and the most in the MIVA. This mark is also top-15 overall and third in the MIVA among all positions.

MIVA, Meet Andrej
In the first week of the 2024 season, Purdue Fort Wayne freshman Andrej Polomac was awarded MIVA Offensive Player of the Week. He dished out 11.17 assists per set while leading the team to a .386 combined hitting percentage.

Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne split last weekend with a 3-1 win at Sacred Heart and a five-set loss at NJIT. Jon Diedrich had 17 and 16 kills in those matches.

Coming Up
Purdue Fort Wayne will play host to No. 3 Hawaii for a pair of matches on the Arnie Ball Court. It will be the first time that Hawaii has ever visited Fort Wayne to play the Mastodons.

~ Feel the Rumble ~

Mastodon Men's Volleyball Hosts Maryville on Friday

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Players Mentioned

Jon Diedrich

Andrej Polomac

Bryce Walker

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics