by MUNCIE, Ind. — After wrapping up its non-conference schedule with an 8-1 record, Ball State men’s volleyball began Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) play Thursday evening inside Worthen Arena.
Heading into the match, first-year Ball State head coach Mike Iandolo said he felt the team did not have a good week of practice.
“We have to make sure that we are not slacking in training just because we’re winning games,” he said. “I even told the guys this week, I think we were a little too casual, and I think it showed.”
But despite that and some moments where the Cardinals struggled to find rhythm, they handled Queens with a 3-0 sweep.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair as the Cardinals jumped to an early 9-4 lead. But the Royals did not stay silent, fighting back to lead 11-10.
Then, Iandolo said the team woke up and elevated their play.
“We had to dig it out and try to win it at the end. [The Royals] were frustrating,” he said. “They were digging a lot of balls and getting touches, and stuff wasn’t clean. We had to win a little dirty.”
Leading 17-16, the Cardinals found their groove as they went on an 8-3 run. This lifted them to a set one victory. But the remaining two sets were not cake-walks for Ball State. Both opened like the inaugural period, as both Ball State and Queens traded blows.
Similarly, the Cardinals took the win in the final points with 25-22 wins in both sets.
During the second set, Ball State senior outside hitter Patrick Rogers recorded his 1,000th career kill, and he finished the match with a game-leading 13 kills.
“It’s so much fun. It’s kind of a thing I always wanted, but it happened with how everybody else played and how the centers played,” Rogers said. “If everybody plays well, I don’t really have to just do my job.”
Iandolo credited Rogers and said that his play can single-handedly win matches. But he said he wants to see other pieces pick up the slack when he’s not at his best. This is something he wants to see the roster adapt to as MIVA play continues.
“When he’s playing like that, we’re still able to win some of these matches where we’re not playing our best as a unit,” Iandolo said. “That’s the benefit of being on the team. If one part struggles, the other part is picking it up.”
Both Ball State and Queens will make a quick turnaround when the two face each other again tomorrow. The contest will begin at 7 p.m.
Though they ended the evening in triumph, Iandolo and Rogers both said the Cardinals cannot take their foot off the gas pedal.
“I don’t want another nail-biter and drag-out match [tomorrow]. They’re going to come back just as hard because now they’re going to have confidence,” Iandolo said. “There is no rest. We’re back in the gym tomorrow morning for a little serve and pass session and to talk about what adjustments we’re going to make.”
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu, zachcarter039@gmail.com or via X @ZachCarter85.
