Fort Wayne, Ind. – The Maryville men's volleyball team saw its bid to open the 2024 season with three straight wins halted at Purdue Fort Wayne as the Mastodons won 25-18, 25-16, 25-22. Luke Kraft hammered down a match-high 15 kills, the second straight match he has reached double figures. Makai Scott and Cameron Lee finished with eight and seven kills, respectively.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne recap
The Saints took a 7-6 lead in set one on a David Fleischer kill. The Mastodons answered with four straight points and six of the next seven to grab a 12-8 edge. Kraft had a kill, and Victor Ganev served an ace to pull the Saints to within 16-14. However, Purdue Fort Wayne scored four of the next five and pulled away.
 
In the second set, the hosts took the early lead, and a Fleischer put down a ball to pull the Saints to within 7-4. Purdue Fort Wayne tallied five straight points. Scott had a kill for the Saints to slow the Mastodons down. Maryville scored three consecutive points, capped by a Kraft kill to draw to within 15-10. Purdue Fort Wayne went on another 5-0 run and took control.
 
Kraft had a kill, and Lee posted a solo block as the Saints took a 9-8 advantage. The Mastodons tied the score before Lee and Kraft again had kills for an 11-9 cushion. Purdue Fort Wayne again took the lead but Scott tied the score with a kill. Down by three, the Saints eventually tied the set at 20-all on a Scott kill. The teams traded points with another Fleischer kill and a Mastodons error deadlocking the score at 22-22. However, Purdue Fort Wayne scored three straight to close out the set and match.  

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Luke Kraft - 15
Hitting Percentage: David Fleischer - .556
Assists: Cameron Chambers - 17
Service Aces: Victor Ganev - 1
Digs: Makai Scott and Josh Zhuchenko - 6
Blocks: three players - 1
 
Records
Maryville: 2-1
Purdue Fort Wayne: 4-1
 
What's Next?
The Saints are back at home Thursday, Jan. 25, as they host Lindenwood for a 7 p.m. first serve in Moloney Arena.