'Dons Struggle to Hold Momentum, Fall in Five

Muncie, IN - Despite thrilling victories en route to an early two-set lead, the 'Dons were unable to hold on in Muncie, as they fell to in-state rival Ball State in five, 30-28, 32-30, 22-30, 20-30, 6-15.

The rivals opened the match neck and through the first 25 serves. With the score at 14-13, the 'Dons rattled off four of the next five points, taking a commanding four point lead at 18-14, drawing a time-out from the Cardinal bench. The IPFW opening set lead grew to five at 22-17 before the Cardinals staged their late comeback.

Eventually cutting the gap to one at 28-27, a Ball State attack error and kill from sophomore Ivan Matos closed a first set Mastodon win, 30-28.

In the second set, it was IPFW's chance for heroics. The Cardinals took a lead at 2-1 - a lead they wouldn't surrender until extra volleyball at 31-30. But that doesn't fully summarize the IPFW comeback.

The Mastodons stuffed a set-point attempt by Ball State at 29-24. And then another. And then another. And then another. And then another. In all, the 'Dons faced defeat on five occasions, eventually tying the match at 30-30. 

Ball State's J.D. Gasparovic sailed an attack long, giving the 'Dons a set-point opportunity of their own at 31-30. On the next play, with the imposing IPFW frontline in his face, Gasparovic sent his attack attempt into the net, closing an amazing IPFW comeback in the second set. IPFW took eight of the final nine points to take a two sets-to-none lead with a 32-30 second set win. 

The story of the next three sets wasn't quite the same, though. The Cardinals set the 'Dons up for heroic comebacks in the third, fourth and fifth sets, but this time, they were able to hold on to convincing leads late as they won 30-22, 30-20 and 15-6 to steal away the momentum and storm back for a commanding five set victory.

In the final three sets of the match, the 'Dons carried hitting percentages in the negative numbers, meaning they tallied more attack errors than successful kills. As a team, IPFW hit a combined .076 over five sets. The Ball State frontline posted an impressive 22.5 blocks on the 'Dons, the most by an opponent this season.

Darryl Shank, who tallied 14 kills in the first two sets, led the IPFW offense with 20 kills. Elon Fyfield was the only other Mastodons in double-figures with 13. Oliver Kook posted an impressive five service aces and three Mastodons posted double-digit dig totals. Shaun Dryden led the category with 17, Shank posted 11 and Fyfield logged 10 digs.

The 'Dons will return to action next Friday (Mar. 5) as they play host to Cardinal Stritch University. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Hilliard Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne.

~Dons~