February 5, 2011

Kenosha, WI - It was three sets and done, as the IPFW Mastodons ran past the Carthage College Redmen in straight sets, 25-21, 28-26, 25-19.

Due to a conflict with Carthage's statistical software, a game box score will not be available until Sunday afternoon.

Set number one was all IPFW from the start. An early 5-1 lead continued to balloon, with IPFW taking an eight-point lead at 14-6, before sealing a quick opening set victory, 25-21.

Elon Fyfield led the Mastodon attack in the opening set with four markers.

Set number two was a battle for the Mastodons. Carthage would take the first lead at 1-0 and jump all over IPFW. Starting out with a 12-7 lead and carrying their advantage deep into the set, the Redmen would push their lead to as many as five at 12-7.

After slowly chipping away at the lead, the Mastodons would take their first lead of set at the last point possible - 26-25 on a Redmen ball-handling error. After Carthage tied the match at 26, Darryl Shank slammed home a kill and Carthage's following attack found the net, as IPFW stole away a come-from-behind 28-26 second set victory.

Carrying that momentum over from set two, the Mastodons cruised to the victory in set three. The 'Dons used a Phil Peterson kill to take a 6-1 lead and steadily maintained a three-to-five point lead throughout. A quick rally pushed the score to 23-16 and Ivan Matos tallied a kill to move the set to match-point. Three straight points by the Redmen was followed by a Corey Frain kill to close out a three-set sweep, 25-19.

For the 'Dons, Darryl Shank posted an impressive 14-kill night with a .571 attack percentage. Elon Fyfield posted 11 markers and junior outside hitter Ivan Matos hit at a .556 clip to lead the Mastodon offense.

Libero JW Kieckhefer led the squad, as he posted 10 digs and Eddie Rivera landed a pair of aces on the night.

The win moves IPFW to 6-4 overall on the season. They return to action next Saturday night (Feb. 12) as they host in-state MIVA foe Ball State. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Hilliard Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne.

~Dons~