FEBRUARY 19, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: RUDY YOVICH, SID
260-481-6646

'Dons Bounce Back at Golden Dome

Newark, NJ - The IPFW men's volleyball team bounced back after a loss to #5 Penn State, in the opening round of the Rutgers-Newark Golden Dome Classic, to top the host Scarlet Raiders, 3-1, on the tournament's final day.

IPFW dropped the first game 25-30, but roared back to win the final three by the scores of 30-23, 30-18, and 30-23.

Senior outside hitter Matt Zbyszewski had a stellar evening, with 24 kills, 15 digs, six service aces, and four block assists.

Senior left side Mitch Dreisbach also registered a double-double with 16 kills and 13 digs.

Junior middle hitter Serdar Sikca was the defensive star of the match. The "Big Turk" recorded 2 solo and 10 block assists. Sikca also had nine kills.

Junior setter Mike Diaga, who has also seen time in the middle and outside, had 58 assists, five digs, and five block assists.

Rutgers-Neward (5-5) was led by brothers Eric and Brian Honsberger with 22 and 16 kills respectively.

With the win, the Mastodons improve to 6-5. They return to MIVA action this Friday (2/25), heading to Muncie, Indiana to take on Ball State.

Two Mastodons were named to the All-Tournament Team.

2005 ALL-GOLDEN DOME CLASSIC TEAM:
Brian Honsberger, OH, Rutgers-Newark; Eric Honsberger, OH, Rutgers-Newark; Keith Kowal, MH, Penn State; Matt Proper, OH, Penn State; Mike Daiga, S, IPFW; Matt Zbyszewski, OPP, IPFW; Daniel Mathews, S, Ohio State.

#5 Penn State went 2-0 in the tournament, beating #12 Ohio State 3-0, on the tournament's final day.

~Dons~