IPFW volleyball loses season-opener vs. St. Francis

The IPFW men's volleyball team was unable to close-out St. Francis (Pa.) in the final two games and dropped its season-opener.

IPFW could not convert on two game-point chances in the third-game overtime and blew a two-point lead late in the fourth game as it lost to St. Francis 23-25, 25-22, 33-31, 25-23 on Friday at the Gates Center.

Despite IPFW holding St. Francis (1-1, 0-0 EIVA) to a match-low .100 attack percentage in the opening game, the Red Flashes finished the match out-hitting the Mastodons .333 to .242. In addition, St. Francis had more than a .400 attack percentage in the final two games.

The Mastodons (0-1, 0-0 MIVA) in the loss had three players with double-digit kills -- including All-MIVA outside attacker Eddie Rivera who had a match-high 16 kills. Middle attacker Ramon Burgos had 13 kills, while freshman outside attacker Andy Sellan in his college debut added 10 kills and a match-high two aces.

St. Francis all-conference middle attacker Adam Roche in the victory led all players with eight blocks to help the Red Flashes finish with 16.5 blocks -- 11.5 more blocks than the Mastodons.

This loss snaps IPFW's four-match winning streak against St. Francis dating back to 2010. It is also the first time the Mastodons have lost a season opener since 2008.

IPFW will conclude its season-opening two-match homestand as it plays Cardinal Stritch at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Gates Center.