'Dons Run Past Antelopes in Three

Fort Wayne, IN - The Mastodons started hot and stayed hot as they picked up their first conference win of the season over the Grand Canyon Antelopes, 30-21, 30-28, 30-26.

Leaping out to a commanding five-point lead at 9-4, the 'Dons continued to put the pressure on the 'Lopes, forcing a Grand Canyon time-out at 21-14. Unphased, Darryl Shank tallied an ace to keep the run alive as the 'Dons extended their lead to as many as 11 at 27-16 before sealing a 30-21 first set victory.

In the set, Shank tallied seven kills as the IPFW offensive attack looked sharped in posting a .308 hitting percentage in the frame.

The hot hand didn't cool off until well into the second set. After taking a 6-3 lead to open play in the stanza, the 'Lopes battled back, knotting the set at eight a piece before taking their largest lead of the match at 19-16. Trailing 25-22 IPFW head coach Arnie Ball whistled the timeout to calm his troops and set the Mastodon strategy.

Three consecutive points, including a Dan Mader service ace, brought the score even at 25, warranting a time-out from the opposing bench. Unfortunately for the 'Lopes, the damage was already done. Tallying five of the next eight points, Shank's laser beam found the floor and the 'Dons went to the second-set break with a 30-28 victory and 2-0 lead in the match.

In much the same fashion, the VolleyDons steadily built their early third set lead to 13-9, before the 'Lopes called their first time-out to try to stop the bleeding. The 'Lopes briefly brought the game back into reach, tying it up at 18, but IPFW had the answer. Four straight points and a steady attack kept the match in favor of the home team and freshmen Rob Samp and Elon Fyfield came up with a massive block to seal the set and match, 30-26.

The 'Dons fought off the service woes that had troubled them in conference play thus far, logging just eight errors to Grand Canyon's 22. Shank was the lone VolleyDon in double figure kills at 17. Fyfield followed with nine and senior middle Oliver Kook posted eight in the match.

Kook also led the squad with five block assists, while Mader posted 34 assists to add to a season average that currently ranks second in the country. Reigning MIVA Defensive Player of the Week Shaun Dryden led the 'Dons with 13 digs.

The 'Dons pull to within a game of .500 at 4-5 overall (1-3 MIVA) with the win while Grand Canyon falls to 5-9 overall and 0-4 in conference action.

IPFW and Grand Canyon will square off again tomorrow (Feb. 13), with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m.