Mastodon MVB Travels for #MIVAvb Play

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Purdue Fort Wayne men's volleyball will travel to Northern Kentucky on Thursday (Feb. 19) and No. 13 Ohio State on Saturday (Feb. 21) for a pair of MIVA matches.

Game Day Information
Who: Northern Kentucky
When: Thursday, February 19 | 7 PM
Where: Highland Heights, Ky. | Regents Hall
Live Stats: Link
Game Notes: MIVA | Purdue Fort Wayne

Game Day Information
Who: No. 13 Ohio State
When: Saturday, February 21 | 2 PM
Where: Columbus, Ohio | Covelli Center
Watch: Link
Live Stats: Link
Game Notes: MIVA | Purdue Fort Wayne

Know Your Foes
Northern Kentucky is 3-6 to start the season, a win less 0-2 in MIVA play. The Norse are 0-2 against ranked opponents: No. 20 Lincoln Memorial and No. 12 Ohio State. Northern Kentucky is offensively led by Griffen Wheatley (2.57) and Juanmarco Diaz (2.50). Diaz also leads the team on the defensive end, averaging 2.11 digs per set. The Norse have split the role of setter between Nick Whitley and Kyle Saurer through the season.

No. 13 Ohio State began the season 7-4, 2-1 during MIVA play. The Buckeyes currently rank sixth in the nation in kills per set (13.03) and seventh in assists per set (12.13) as a team. Ohio State leads the MIVA in points per set (17.33), kills per set (13.42), blocks per set (2.67), opponent assists per set (9.17) and opponent kills per set (10.50) during association play. The Buckeyes are also second in the MIVA in assists per set (12.33), hitting percentage (.326), opponent hitting percentage (.213) and opponent service aces per set (0.67). Daniel Henwood Rodriguez runs the Ohio State offense as their setter, coming in at seventh in the nation in assists per set (10.38). The sophomore is also first in the MIVA in assists per set in association play, with 11.33. Daniel Hurley leads the offensive production, coming in at third in the MIVA in points per set (4.67) and kills per set (4.00).

Series Histories
The Mastodons beat Northern Kentucky in the first meeting between the programs. Carlo Huisden led the match with 12 kills in the three set sweep.

The 'Dons trail in the series history with Ohio State 84-41. Purdue Fort Wayne lost both meetings last season.

Blocked By Fozzy!
Kaden Fosdick was selected as the MIVA's Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday (Feb.10). The junior aided the Mastodons to a 2-0 weekend and into a four match win streak. Fosdick rejected a total of 12 attacks against Northern Kentucky (Feb. 6) and Daemen (Feb. 8) for an average of 2.00 blocks per set, best in the MIVA for the week. The Wisconsin native had seven blocks and a dig during Purdue Fort Wayne's first MIVA victory over the Norse. Fosdick had another five blocks in the victory over the Wildcats.

'Dons This Season
The Mastodons have started the season 7-3 and 2-1 during MIVA play. Purdue Fort Wayne now owns wins over (RV) NJIT, No. 20 Charleston and No. 12 McKendree, while suffering two of their three losses to ranked opponents: No. 12 CSUN and No. 13 Lindenwood. Logan Muir leads the MIVA in kills per set (4.63), service aces per set (0.63) and points per set (5.56) in association play, also with a .409 hitting percentage to sit second in statistical rankings. Kaden Fosdick is second in MIVA play for blocks per set, averaging 1.27. The team's offense is spread out between four players that all average over 3.00 points per set and 2.50 kills per set: Muir (4.43 pps, 3.70 kps), Owen Banner (3.73 pps, 3.11 kps), Ethan Skalski (3.31 pps, 2.61 kps) and Carlo Huisden (3.27 pps, 2.74 kps). Hunter Hopkins runs the Mastodon offense with 10.17 assists per set.

Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne dropped their first MIVA match of the season, coming at the hands of No. 13 Lindenwood in straight sets (25-20, 25-23, 25-20) on Thursday evening (Feb. 12). Carlo Huisden was the only 'Don to reach double-digit kills, finishing with 10 and four digs. Hunter Hopkins tallied 26 assists on the night. Andrew Mayer accrued five digs through the three sets.

The Mastodons upset No. 12 McKendree on Friday night (Feb. 13) in a five set (21-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 15-11) MIVA battle. Logan Muir and Owen Banner both notched double-doubles in the contest. Muir led the offensive charge for the 'Dons' five-set bout, finishing with career-highs in kills (32) and digs (11). Banner also recorded a career-high in digs (12) to go along with 11 kills. Carlo Huisden finished with a career high nine digs in the contest. Andrew Mayer dug out 11 attacks on the night. Hunter Hopkins recorded 53 digs through the five sets.

'Dons In Five
Purdue Fort Wayne is 4-1 this season in five-set matches, all at home, only losing the season opener to Missouri S&T. The Mastodons have beaten (RV) NJIT, Maryville, Daemen and No. 12 McKendree in the fifth set this year.

Preseason All-MIVA
Logan Muir was selected for the Preseason All-MIVA Team on December 15. Muir was named to the 2025 All-MIVA Second Team following last season. The Junior led the Mastodons in points (464.5), kills (391) and service aces (41) last year. He was second in the MIVA in kills per set (4.39), aces per set (0.41) and points per set (5.19) during conference play. Muir's 5.09 points per set ranked fifth in the nation. The California native also was 10th in the MIVA in hitting percentage with .299. Muir recorded double-digit kills in 19 of the 'Dons' 26 matches. He hit a career-high 23 kills in three sets at McKendree, the third most in the program's rally scoring era.

Coming Up
Purdue Fort Wayne continues their travels with a single-match week at No. 8 Ball State (Feb. 27).

~ Feel the Rumble ~

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Players Mentioned

Owen Banner

Kaden Fosdick

Hunter Hopkins

Carlo Huisden

Andrew Mayer

Logan Muir

Ethan Skalski

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics