IPFW wins season opener over NJIT

Fort Wayne, IN - The IPFW Volleydons kicked off head coach Arnie Ball's 30th season in style, as Elon Fyfield's 18 kills led the squad to a 3-0 sweep of the NJIT Highlanders 30-24, 30-25, 30-24.

The 'Dons got off to a hot start, rattling off three straight points to open the match. The Highlanders fought back to close the gap, until an IPFW run pushed the lead to 19-13, drawing a timeout from the Highlander bench. The 'Dons kept the pressure on after the whistle to extend the lead and Fyfield slammed the door, with three huge kills to close the first set 30-24.

Junior outside hitter Darryl Shank led with six kills while sophomore setter Dan Mader logged an impressive 22 assists in the opening frame.

The Highlanders scored the first point of the second set, one of just three short leads they would hold during the match, before back-to-back service aces by Ivan Matos helped extend the lead to 7-2. After maintaining a steady three-point lead throughout the set, a late error by Shank cut the IPFW lead to just one at 24-23. Shank responded with a kill of his own off a pass from Mader and the 'Dons offense hit full speed. Freshman Rob Samp had an ace for the 29th point and Matos capped off the set with a laser down the line to seal the set at 30-25 and give the 'Dons a 2-0 lead.

Neck-and-neck volleyball ensued in the third set as neither team pulled out to more than a two-point lead until almost 40 points into the match. With the score at 21-20, an unlikely hero checked into the game in junior libero Patrick Pinto. The much-improved Pinto, who did not see game action a year ago, came up with three remarkable diving digs and almost immediately the 'Dons were sitting on a six-point lead at 27-21.

After a pair of NJIT errors, and with the IPFW crowd on its feet, the Highlanders final serve found the wrong side of the net and the opening match of the 2010 season was in the books.

Dan Mader posted a new career high with 55 assists on the night. His previous best of 50 was set twice in '09, in a four-set win over Pacific and a five-set victory over Rutgers-Newark.

Fyfield, who head coach Arnie Ball describes as "very, very, very athletic," led the squad with 18 kills and three blocks in his collegiate debut. Shank tallied 11 kills while senior middle blocker Oliver Kook totaled nine to go with his three blocks.

Another Volleydon newcomer in 6-7 middle blocker Rob Samp enjoyed a successful collegiate debut as he connected on six of his seven attacks while tallying a pair of service aces to lead the team.

The win improves IPFW to 5-0 all-time against the Highlanders in a series that dates back to the 1987 season.

The win was not the only high point of the night for Coach Ball. Before the match, IPFW Chancellor Michael Wartell announced the successful completion of the Arnie Ball Legacy Endowment Campaign, making IPFW the only school in the country with a fully endowed men's volleyball scholarship program. The goal of $1 million dollars was reached before December 31, 2009, meaning the school will match every dollar raised in the campaign.

Ball and his 'Dons will return to action tomorrow evening as they again host the NJIT Highlanders. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Gates Sports Center.