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It took a 26-point overtime, but Lewis finally prevailed with a postseason win.
Lewis fought off nine game-points in the fourth-game overtime before rallying to beat Purdue Fort Wayne 25-15, 25-18, 16-25 38-36 in the MIVA Tournament quarterfinals on Saturday in Romeoville, Illinois.
The Flyers were able to secure their 15th consecutive trip to the MIVA Tournament semifinals following three consecutive Mastodons errors to close out the overtime. Lewis before these errors had failed to convert on six match-point opportunities, including surrendering a 24-21 lead that led to the overtime.
Outside attacker Cole Brillhart led Lewis with four kills in the overtime and finished with 12 kills on a .524 attack percentage.
Brillhart was one of three Flyers with double-digit kills as Lewis out-hit Purdue Fort Wayne .403 to .270.
Opposite Christian Prayer had a team-high 17 kills and hit .345, while outside attacker Max Roquet contributed 16 kills. Middle attacker Michael Sack also had seven kills and zero errors on a team-best .636 attack percentage.
Opposite Jon Diedrich in the loss led all players with 19 kills and hit .375.
Diedrich was limited to seven kills through the first three games but then had a game-high 12 kills in the fourth game, including four of those kills coming in the overtime.
Along with Diedrich, Mark Fraizer contributed 13 kills and had both a match-high four aces and 10 digs. In addition, middle attacker Carlos Mercado had nine kills and zero errors while leading all players with a .818 attack percentage.
Purdue Fort Wayne as the No. 5 seed was attempting to pull off another road upset for the second consecutive year. The Mastodons last year became the first No. 6 seed to reach the MIVA Tournament finals.
Lewis with this victory will advance to play the No. 1 seed Ball State in the MIVA Tournament semifinals on Wednesday. Ball State swept the No. 8 seed Quincy in their quarterfinals match Saturday.
Ball State and Lewis split their regular season series with both matches going to a decisive fifth game.