North Manchester, Ind. – Manchester University Volleyball is set to host the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras this Friday at 6:00 PM, but for Head Coach Ivan Matos it is more than just a match.

Originally from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Matos comes from a traditional volleyball background having multiple relatives who played both on the national team and pro league back home. His biggest influence was his father, Ivan Matos Sr., who has been a coach in the sport for over 40 years (still active), having coached in different levels ranging from youth leagues to college teams to professional teams throughout his career. According to Coach Matos, "The high-octane passion of Puerto Rican volleyball is something all young players grow up with, and it instills both a love for the game as well as a fire to compete."

The early devotion to volleyball led Matos to be recruited to Purdue Fort Wayne, formally Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), where he played for Coach Arnie Ball from 2009-2012. During his tenure at IPFW, Coach Ball developed a rich history of recruiting Puerto Rican players as well as scheduling matches with Puerto Rican volleyball teams both locally and traveling to the island.

After becoming the head coach at Manchester, Matos decided to carry on his former coach's tradition at Manchester. In 2022, Manchester Volleyball traveled to Puerto Rico for two scheduled matches (but ultimately played one match against UPR-Bayamon). During the trip Manchester Volleyball also spent time volunteering and doing community service while in Puerto Rico, helping in areas affected by the passing of a hurricane a month earlier.

Coach Matos has kept his connection to the volleyball community back home and now is proud to host the University of Puerto Rico Rio-Piedras (UPR) this Friday September 26th. To his knowledge this will be the first time since 2009, that a college volleyball team from Puerto Rico makes its way to the Hoosier state to compete. The UPR is coached by Hall of Fame player/coach Xiomara Molero, who was the former national team and pro team setter in the early 2000s.

For Coach Matos, this Friday is more than just a match, it is a taste of home and a great experience he is excited for both teams to share. From the intertwined passion of volleyball and Puerto Rican culture to the small-town hospitality of North Manchester, both teams will have the priceless opportunity to experience each other's culture on and off the court.