Shank, Mader Fuel Four-Set IPFW Win Over Rutgers-Newark
Fort Wayne, IN - Behind a spectacular 25-kill outing by junior Darryl Shank and career-high 59 assists from setter Dan Mader, the IPFW Mastodons cruised to a four-set victory over the Rutgers-Newark Scarlet Raiders, 28-30, 30-26, 30-26, 30-24.
After a slow IPFW start to the match's opening set, middle hitter Oliver Kook awakened the Mastodon offense with a service ace, sparking an IPFW run to take an early 13-10 lead. A short Rutgers-Newark rally cut the lead to one at 17-16, but junior Darryl Shank had the IPFW answer, converting on two kills and a block, helping to extend the lead to as many as five at 25-20.
From that point on, though, the set belonged to the Scarlet Raiders. With runs of three and four points, Rutgers-Newark stormed from behind, taking the lead at 28-27, before sealing the set with an ace to seal the opening-set win, 30-28.
Simply stated, the second set belonged to Darryl Shank. With the score knotted at 22, the junior captain tallied kills on three of the next four points, giving the ‘Dons the lead and the confidence they needed.
He slammed home two more as the set drew to a close, en route to an amazing 12 total kills in the set. The ‘Dons closed out the second frame victory, 30-26.
IPFW jumped out to an early 8-5 advantage in the third set thanks to a pair of aces by freshman Rob Samp. A five-point run by the Raiders returned the score to even, but Shank responded with another pair of aces as IPFW rallied for five straight points of their own, jumping out to a 20-17 lead.
The ‘Dons were able to carry that lead through the finish, as another Shank laser found the floor and IPFW took a two sets to one advantage, despite a hitting percentage of just .132 in the set.
With the confidence and momentum on their side, a collected IPFW team built a steady lead in the fourth set. The lead continued to grow, eventually reaching as many as six at 25-19 before a Raider mistake fell to the floor and the ‘Dons closed out the four-set win, with a strong 30-24 victory.
Shank posted a season-best 25 kills to go along with 8 digs and an impressive six service aces in the win. Sophomore outside hitter Ivan Matos tallied 17 of his own, while freshman Elon Fyfield rounded out the ‘Dons in double-figures at 11.
Dan Mader topped his previous career-high assists by two, amassing 57 helpers in the four-set win. He also led the squad in digs with 14.
The victory moves the season record back to .500 at 3-3. The George Mason Patriots will be the ‘Dons next opponent as they look to get back in the win column Saturday (Jan. 30), with a 7:00 p.m. match-up at the Gates Center in Fort Wayne.
~Dons~
