Mastodon Men's Volleyball Hosts McKendree For Two MIVA Matches This Weekend

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Purdue Fort Wayne men's volleyball will welcome McKendree to the Gates Sports Center this weekend for two MIVA matches.

Game Day Information
Who: McKendree Bearcats
When: Friday-Saturday, Feb. 23-24 - 7 PM & 4 PM
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Gates Sports Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: Friday | Saturday
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | McKendree | MIVA

Know Your Foes
McKendree is 7-4 and 4-1 to start MIVA play. The Bearcats are riding a five-match winning streak that dates back to February 3. McKendree has lost just one set in that time. This includes a sweep over then-No. 11 Ball State. The Bearcats are led Nikos Xydakis and Kevin Schuele, who have split the pin-hitting duties 50-50, both recording 102 kills to date. Tyler Poulsen is distributing the ball well so far this season, recording 10.65 assists per set, leading the Bearcats to a .285 hitting percentage.

Series History
One of the shorter histories in the Mastodons' ledger, the 'Dons lead the series 11-8, but hold an 8-2 advantage in the Gates Sports Center. The two teams met first in 2015, the Bearcats' first year in the MIVA. The Mastodons have won the last three meetings, including both last year. Mark Frazier had 19 kills against the Bearcats in the second edition of 2023.

Efficient Hitting
The Mastodons have hit over .300 in six matches this season, including three over .400. They are 6-0 in such matches.

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.
10. Craig Collins - 1362 (1992-95)
11. Tony Luhning - 1345 (1988-91)
12. Andrew Sellan - 1315 (2008-11)
13. Darryl Shank - 1310 (2008-11)
14. Jon Diedrich - 1302 (2020-24)

Papa Jon
Fifth-year player Jon Diedrich is the active NCAA career leader with 1,302 kills. Ohio State's Jacob Pasteur is right behind with 1,280.

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.
10. Colton Stone - 102 (2016-19)
Andrew Sellan - 102 (2012-16)
12. Jeff Ptak - 99 (1999-03)
13. Loren Gebert - 97 (1983-86)
14. Scott Lane - 95 (1999-00)
15. Bryce Walker - 93 (2021-24)

Bryce the Beast
Bryce Walker has the best career hitting percentage among active MIVA players with at least one full season played with a .357 clip. His percentage of .332 last season was fifth in the conference. If he had enough attempts, his percentage of .446 would be second-best in the nation.

Now Walk It Out
Bryce Walker's career mark of 93 aces is the second-most among active middle blockers in the country and the most in the MIVA.

Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne fell to No. 7 Ohio State 3-2, managing two sets despite OSU hitting .320 as a team.

Coming Up
Purdue Fort Wayne heads to Chicago on Thursday (Feb. 29) for a match at Loyola Chicago before visiting Lewis in the suburbs on March 2.

~ Feel the Rumble ~

Mastodon Men's Volleyball Hosts McKendree For Two MIVA Matches This Weekend

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Players Mentioned

Jon Diedrich

Mark Frazier

Bryce Walker

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics