Thursday, January 23
Fort Wayne, Ind.
7 PM
Purdue Fort Wayne
2-2,0-0MIVA
3
vs
2
LIU
3-1,0-0NEC
1st set1
2nd set2
3rd set3
4th set4
5th set5
FinalF
LIU
25
19
25
29
15
2
Purdue Fort Wayne
22
25
23
31
17
3
Haven Wankerl
Photo by: Tristen Bronaugh
Mastodons Win Five-Set Thriller Over LIU
1/23/2025 10:08:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Purdue Fort Wayne men's volleyball team came out victorious after a five set (22-25, 25-29, 23-25, 31-29, 17-15) battle against LIU on Thursday (Jan. 23). The Mastodons denied two LIU match points in the fourth set and rallied from a 7-3 deficit in the fifth.
After a highly competitive three sets, the 'Dons found themselves entering a must win fourth set. Similar to the rest of the match, the set went back and forth between the two teams. The Mastodons led 15-13 at the media timeout, but the Sharks answered with a 4-0 run to force a Purdue Fort Wayne timeout down 18-16. The 'Dons returned the favor with their own 5-1 run to take the lead at 21-20, led by two kills from Axel Melendez Watts out of his 10 in the set. The score extended to a 31-29 Purdue Fort Wayne victory that forced the fifth set.
LIU jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead to begin the fifth set, forcing a Mastodon timeout. After an even 5-5 stretch, the teams flipped court with the Sharks up 8-5. The 'Dons went on a 5-1 run with the aid of three Logan Muir kills to take hold of the lead. Purdue Fort Wayne held the advantage as the sides exchanged points until one final Shark attack error put the 'Dons on top 17-15.
The Sharks controlled both the first and third sets, never allowing the Mastodons to even the score deep into the set. Purdue Fort Wayne never lost the lead in the second set, finishing the frame with a 7-2 run. Muir continued his streak of productive second sets, adding five kills in tonight's.
Melendez Watts had a career-high night, finishing the match with 26 kills on a .404 percentage. Hunter Hopkins (59 assists and 13 digs) and JP Candrian (16 digs and 14 kills) both posted double-doubles in the contest.
Purdue Fort Wayne evens out at 2-2, while LIU takes their first loss on the season at 3-1. The Mastodons will host Lees-McRae in the Gates Sports Center on Saturday (Jan. 25).
~ Feel the Rumble ~
After a highly competitive three sets, the 'Dons found themselves entering a must win fourth set. Similar to the rest of the match, the set went back and forth between the two teams. The Mastodons led 15-13 at the media timeout, but the Sharks answered with a 4-0 run to force a Purdue Fort Wayne timeout down 18-16. The 'Dons returned the favor with their own 5-1 run to take the lead at 21-20, led by two kills from Axel Melendez Watts out of his 10 in the set. The score extended to a 31-29 Purdue Fort Wayne victory that forced the fifth set.
LIU jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead to begin the fifth set, forcing a Mastodon timeout. After an even 5-5 stretch, the teams flipped court with the Sharks up 8-5. The 'Dons went on a 5-1 run with the aid of three Logan Muir kills to take hold of the lead. Purdue Fort Wayne held the advantage as the sides exchanged points until one final Shark attack error put the 'Dons on top 17-15.
The Sharks controlled both the first and third sets, never allowing the Mastodons to even the score deep into the set. Purdue Fort Wayne never lost the lead in the second set, finishing the frame with a 7-2 run. Muir continued his streak of productive second sets, adding five kills in tonight's.
Melendez Watts had a career-high night, finishing the match with 26 kills on a .404 percentage. Hunter Hopkins (59 assists and 13 digs) and JP Candrian (16 digs and 14 kills) both posted double-doubles in the contest.
Purdue Fort Wayne evens out at 2-2, while LIU takes their first loss on the season at 3-1. The Mastodons will host Lees-McRae in the Gates Sports Center on Saturday (Jan. 25).
~ Feel the Rumble ~
Team Stats
LIU
Pur-FW
Kills
58
66
Errors
27
22
Attempts
148
140
Hitting %
.209
.314
Points
73.5
85.0
Assists
52
64
Aces
7
7
Blocks
8.5
12
Game Leaders
Kills
26
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
17
Aces
3
Blocks
4
Kills
14
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Men's Volleyball
S
/ Men's VolleyballOH
/ Men's VolleyballOPP
/ Men's VolleyballKaden Fosdick - Defensive Player of the Week
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