Thursday, February 29
Chicago, Ill.
8 PM ET
Purdue Fort Wayne
at
Loyola Chicago
Davey Singer
Photo by: Josh Gales
'Dons Visit No. 13 Loyola Chicago and No. 14 Lewis
2/28/2024 3:42:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Purdue Fort Wayne men's volleyball will hit the road this week to play a pair of top-15 MIVA teams.
Game Day Information (Thursday)
Who: No. 13 Loyola Chicago Ramblers
When: Thursday, Feb. 29 | 8 PM ET
Where: Chicago, Ill. | Gentile Arena
Live Stats: Link
Watch: Link
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Loyola Chicago | MIVA
Game Day Information (Saturday)
Who: No. 14 Lewis Flyers
When: Saturday, March 2 | 6 PM ET
Where: Romeoville, Ill. | Neil Carey Arena
Live Stats: Link
Watch: Link
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Lewis | MIVA
Know Your Foes
• No. 13 Loyola Chicago is 9-8 and 4-3 in the MIVA. After a 3-1 start to MIVA play, the Ramblers are 1-2 over their last three, with losses to Ball State and Lindenwood. They beat the Lions in a rematch. LUC's season is highlighted by a 3-2 win at Hawaii and a 3-2 win over Ohio State. The Ramblers are led by Parker Van Buren, who is second in the MIVA with 4.00 kills per set.
• No. 14 Lewis is 9-7 and 3-3 in the MIVA, with wins over Lindenwood, McKendree and Quincy. The Flyers have suffered losses at the hands of Ohio State, Loyola Chicago and Lindenwood. The Flyers are coming off a trip to California, in which they lost 3-1 at Long Beach State and won 3-2 at CSUN. Max Roquet is Lewis' leader at 3.22 kills per set, while two-time Player of the Week Nico Paula is digging out 2.22 attacks per set.
Series Histories
• Loyola Chicago leads the series 42-24. The two teams have split the last two matchups, both coming in Fort Wayne. The 'Dons have not won in Chicago since 2022 in the MIVA Tournament.
• Lewis leads the series 44-26 and has won the last two in Romeoville. In the MIVA Tournament last season, the Mastodons got 19 kills out of Jon Diedrich and 10 digs from Mark Frazier.
Defensive Excellence
Wilmer Hernandez was named the MIVA Defensive Player of the Week on February 27 after leading Purdue Fort Wayne to a 2-1 week. This came on the heels of a career weekend against McKendree, in which he had 19 digs against the Bearcats in a four-set win. This mark is the best in the NCAA in four-set matches this season. For the week, he averaged 2.69 digs per set.
Career-High Digs
Three Mastodons had career-high dig performances against McKendree this season. Wilmer Hernandez had 19 digs against the Bearcats in the first matchup, then Jon Diedrich and Bryce Walker had career-highs of 15 and seven the following day.
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.
8. Felipe Ralat - 1468 (1992-95)
9. Norman Almodovar - 1424 (1991-94)
10. Craig Collins - 1362 (1992-95)
11. Tony Luhning - 1345 (1988-91)
12. Jon Diedrich - 1339 (2020-24)
Papa Jon
Fifth-year player Jon Diedrich is the active NCAA career leader with 1,339 kills. Ohio State's Jacob Pasteur is right behind with 1,298.
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 - 94 (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 .352 clip. His percentage of .332 last season was fifth in the conference. If he had enough attempts, his percentage of .424 would be fifth-best in the nation.
Now Walk It Out
Bryce Walker's career mark of 94 aces is the second-most among active middle blockers in the country and the most in the MIVA.
Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne beat McKendree twice last weekend, topping the Bearcats 3-1 and 3-2. The Mastodons had their best defensive outings of the season, tallying season-high dig numbers in both matches.
Coming Up
Purdue Fort Wayne will welcome Lindenwood and Ohio State to the Gates Sports Center for a pair of MIVA matches on March 15-16.
Game Day Information (Thursday)
Who: No. 13 Loyola Chicago Ramblers
When: Thursday, Feb. 29 | 8 PM ET
Where: Chicago, Ill. | Gentile Arena
Live Stats: Link
Watch: Link
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Loyola Chicago | MIVA
Game Day Information (Saturday)
Who: No. 14 Lewis Flyers
When: Saturday, March 2 | 6 PM ET
Where: Romeoville, Ill. | Neil Carey Arena
Live Stats: Link
Watch: Link
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Lewis | MIVA
Know Your Foes
• No. 13 Loyola Chicago is 9-8 and 4-3 in the MIVA. After a 3-1 start to MIVA play, the Ramblers are 1-2 over their last three, with losses to Ball State and Lindenwood. They beat the Lions in a rematch. LUC's season is highlighted by a 3-2 win at Hawaii and a 3-2 win over Ohio State. The Ramblers are led by Parker Van Buren, who is second in the MIVA with 4.00 kills per set.
• No. 14 Lewis is 9-7 and 3-3 in the MIVA, with wins over Lindenwood, McKendree and Quincy. The Flyers have suffered losses at the hands of Ohio State, Loyola Chicago and Lindenwood. The Flyers are coming off a trip to California, in which they lost 3-1 at Long Beach State and won 3-2 at CSUN. Max Roquet is Lewis' leader at 3.22 kills per set, while two-time Player of the Week Nico Paula is digging out 2.22 attacks per set.
Series Histories
• Loyola Chicago leads the series 42-24. The two teams have split the last two matchups, both coming in Fort Wayne. The 'Dons have not won in Chicago since 2022 in the MIVA Tournament.
• Lewis leads the series 44-26 and has won the last two in Romeoville. In the MIVA Tournament last season, the Mastodons got 19 kills out of Jon Diedrich and 10 digs from Mark Frazier.
Defensive Excellence
Wilmer Hernandez was named the MIVA Defensive Player of the Week on February 27 after leading Purdue Fort Wayne to a 2-1 week. This came on the heels of a career weekend against McKendree, in which he had 19 digs against the Bearcats in a four-set win. This mark is the best in the NCAA in four-set matches this season. For the week, he averaged 2.69 digs per set.
Career-High Digs
Three Mastodons had career-high dig performances against McKendree this season. Wilmer Hernandez had 19 digs against the Bearcats in the first matchup, then Jon Diedrich and Bryce Walker had career-highs of 15 and seven the following day.
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.
8. Felipe Ralat - 1468 (1992-95)
9. Norman Almodovar - 1424 (1991-94)
10. Craig Collins - 1362 (1992-95)
11. Tony Luhning - 1345 (1988-91)
12. Jon Diedrich - 1339 (2020-24)
Papa Jon
Fifth-year player Jon Diedrich is the active NCAA career leader with 1,339 kills. Ohio State's Jacob Pasteur is right behind with 1,298.
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 - 94 (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 .352 clip. His percentage of .332 last season was fifth in the conference. If he had enough attempts, his percentage of .424 would be fifth-best in the nation.
Now Walk It Out
Bryce Walker's career mark of 94 aces is the second-most among active middle blockers in the country and the most in the MIVA.
Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne beat McKendree twice last weekend, topping the Bearcats 3-1 and 3-2. The Mastodons had their best defensive outings of the season, tallying season-high dig numbers in both matches.
Coming Up
Purdue Fort Wayne will welcome Lindenwood and Ohio State to the Gates Sports Center for a pair of MIVA matches on March 15-16.
~ Feel the Rumble ~
Players Mentioned
OH/OPP
/ Men's Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ Men's Volleyball
L/OH
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MB
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