John Nunns and Alex Rivero recorded 10 kills apiece, but it wasn't enough as Mount Olive fell to Division I IPFW (Indiana University of Purdue University at Fort Wayne) 29-27, 25-20, 25-17 in non-conference men's volleyball Saturday morning at Kornegay Arena. IPFW took both matches in the two-match series. The Trojans (2-4) played their second of five consecutive matches against Division I opponents.

Mount Olive gave the visiting Mastodons all it wanted for much of the morning. In the opener, Mount Olive fell behind 11-5 before coming alive after a timeout. An ace by Adam Miracle, a kill from Rivero and two attack errors by IPFW closed the gap to 11-10. The Mastodons stretched the lead back to three before the Trojans rallied to take their first lead of the match.

Kills by Lukas Hoezl and Miracle, along with a service ace from Nunns gave Mount Olive a 17-16 advantage. The lead was short-lived, however. Three attack errors by the Trojans allowed the Mastodons to regain a three-point cushion. Mount Olive fought off four times to tie the set before the Mastodons' Ivan Matis delivered a block for the win.

The Trojans again fell behind early in the second set. A Mount Olive service error gave IPFW a 14-9 advantage. The Trojans clawed their way back to within two on three occasions, but Mount Olive could not get closer.

In the clincher, A kill by Miracle pulled the Trojans within 15-12, but an early deficit was again too much to overcome.

Jackson Metichechhia led the Trojans with 35 assists, while Dan Arnold delivered eight digs.

IPFW benefitted from 12 kills by Anthony Randolph and 1a from Ivan Matos. Adam Quinn had 45 assists, while Jonathan Meyer finished with 13 digs.

Mount Olive heads to Pennsylvania next weekend for three matches against Division I opponents, including two ranked in the top 10 in this week's AVCA National Poll. The Trojans begin the trip Friday at 7 p.m. in Loretto, Pa., to take on St. Francis, then go to State College, Pa., for a pair of matches. Mount Olive faces No. 8 Penn State Saturday at 7 p.m. and wraps up the trip Sunday at 5 p.m. against 10th-ranked Ohio State. IPFW plays host to No. 7 Lewis (Ill.) Friday at 7 p.m.