Fort Wayne, Ind- The University of Charleston men's volleyball team fell 3-1 on the road at Purdue Fort Wayne on Thursday night inside Gates Sports Center. The Golden Eagles took set two to even the match, but the Mastodons controlled the final two sets to secure the win.

The Basics:
Location: Fort Wayne, Ind. (Gates Sports Center)
Score: Purdue Fort Wayne 3, Charleston 1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-13, 25-19)
Records: Charleston 2-2 (0-0 EIVA), Purdue Fort Wayne 3-2 (0-0 MIVA)

How it Happened:
Set one opened with both teams trading points in a tight battle early, with the score tied multiple times through 9-9. Purdue Fort Wayne used a 3-0 run to take a 12-9 advantage, but Charleston responded with a 5-1 surge to jump back in front 14-13. The set remained back and forth with ties at 16-16, 18-18, and 19-19 before Purdue Fort Wayne closed strong on a 6-2 run to take the opener 25-21.

Charleston answered in set two after Purdue Fort Wayne jumped out to a 3-0 lead. The Golden Eagles clawed back to tie it at 5-5, and the set stayed even the rest of the way with ties at 10-10, 13-13, 15-15, 18-18, and 19-19. Charleston finished the set on a 6-4 run to earn a 25-22 win, with two late Purdue Fort Wayne service errors helping UC close it out and even the match at one set apiece.

Purdue Fort Wayne regained control in set three after an even start at 2-2 and 3-3. The Mastodons created separation with a 4-0 run to turn a one-point deficit into an 11-7 lead, then continued to build momentum as the set progressed. Purdue Fort Wayne pulled ahead 20-13 late and ended the set on a 5-0 run to win 25-13.

Set four started tight again, and Charleston matched Purdue Fort Wayne at 10-10 before the Mastodons used a 3-0 run to go up 13-10. UC stayed within striking distance for much of the set, but Purdue Fort Wayne pushed the lead to 23-16. Charleston fought off one match point and got a late kill from Joonatan Salpakari, but Purdue Fort Wayne finished the match in the next rally to take the set 25-19 and win the match 3-1.

Offensively, Joonatan Salpakari and Xander Bomert led Charleston with 10 kills apiece.

Defensively, Charleston was led by Andrew Mayer with 11 digs, while Joonatan Salpakari added seven digs. At the net, Pavlin Ivanov posted five block assists to pace the Golden Eagles.
 
Up Next:
Charleston continues its road trip with a matchup against Ball State University tonight, Jan. 23, in Muncie, Indiana. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. inside Worthen Arena.