APRIL 24, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: RUDY YOVICH, SID
260-481-6646

Third Time a Charm for Lewis

Fort Wayne, IN-The IPFW men’s volleyball season came to a premature end on Saturday night at the Hilliard Gates Sports Center. IPFW was beaten by Lewis University 3-1 in first round MIVA play.

Proving the adage that it is tough to beat a team three times in a season (IPFW won the two previous meetings), the defending National Champions won by the scores of 30-20, 30-27, 22-30, and 32-30.

The Flyers (17-13) came out strong, winning the first two games easily.

IPFW head coach Arnie Ball decided to take out the freshman, and go with a more experienced lineup in game three, and it proved successful. Junior outside hitter Mitch Dreisbach (Mishawaka, IN) added an instant spark to the lineup, as did senior outside Isaac White (Gambier, OH).

Along with the strong play of Dreisbach and White, MIVA player-of-the-year Matt Zbyszewski (OH/Toronto, Ontario, Canada) began to find his mark, and the ‘Dons roared to an 8-point game three win.

Game four was a see-saw battle, with each team holding leads. Lewis, however, was able to fend off a final push by the Mastodons, that tied the game at 30 all, to win in four.

Fabiano Barreto was the leader of the Lewis attack with 22 kills. Middle hitter Greg Pochopien added 13 kills for the Flyers.

After a slow start, Zbyszewski ended the match with 20 kills and five block assists for 25.5 points.

Middle hitter Serdar Sikca (Istanbul, Turkey) added 9 kills and three block assists to total 10.5 points.

IPFW ends the season with a mark of 14-11.

~Dons~