by MUNCIE, Ind. — Exactly seven days ago, Mike Iandolo said that the effort in practice had to improve for Ball State men’s volleyball.
Heading into this week, the Cardinals emphasized and prioritized their time together behind closed doors.
“We forced them to be better, and we talked about it,” Iandolo said. “I think what you saw tonight was a result of practice. We had some specific stuff we wanted to work on, especially with the two teams that we’re playing this week.”
Following that plan, the Cardinals — who are ranked as the No. 9 team in the country — hosted No. 12 McKendree inside Worthen Arena Thursday evening.
However, the level of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) opponent did not deter Ball State from its game as the Cardinals topped the Bearcats 3-1. To earn their eighth consecutive victory, the team was led by three players with double-digit kills.
Those included sophomore opposite Ryan Louis (17), sophomore outside Will Basilio (12) and senior outside Patrick Rogers (10).
“Our ability to score on the first ball and some of our first or second opportunities becomes really important, and I think we did a good job with that tonight,” Iandolo said.
The match between the two ranked opponents proved early on why both teams sit where they do in the national standings. The first few minutes featured blows left and right, but neither side could get a leg up.
While Ball State took a 13-11 lead, the Bearcats had 17 attacks at that point while the Cardinals only fielded nine.
Then things took off for the home team.
The Cardinals kicked off a 7-1 scoring run. They then extended this run to a 12-8 stretch, which allowed them to take the first set of the evening 25-19.
Yet, this did not stop McKendree. To start the second set, the Bearcats jumped to a 6-3 lead and remained in front for the majority of the set.
This is when Ball State’s ability to share the scoring duties came into play. After battling back to tie the game 13-13, the Cardinals turned that stat line and positive play into a 25-20 set victory.
The third set of the match featured similarities to the previous two, and one of those things was the finish. However, in this instance, the Cardinals fell just short.
The period was tied 24-24, 25-25 and then 26-26. But the Bearcats found a rhythm and scored the final two points for a 28-26 victory. It was the first time the Cardinals dropped a set in six matches.
“It made us mad,” Louis said. “I think I can speak for everyone that we don’t like losing in any sort of sense.”
The anger and frustration were turned into firepower as Ball State responded with a 7-2 lead to open the fourth and final set. Though McKendree had flashes of making a comeback, the Cardinals slammed the door shut on the visitors multiple times.
Due to the all-around effort, Ball State finished the match with a 25-16 set-four victory. The Cardinals ended the night with 119 attacks and 57 kills while the Bearcats had 114 and 47.
Ball State will return to Worthen Arena Friday, Feb. 13, as Lindenwood — the No. 13 team in the country — faces the Cardinals at 7 p.m. Six of the nine teams in the MIVA are ranked in the top 40 nationally, so playing these tough in-conference opponents is something Iandolo does not fear.
He wants the challenge.
“You want to be at the top at the end, so it’s good to test yourself early,” he said. “We’ve done it every season, and it usually sets us on a good course.”
That mentality trickles down from leadership to the Cardinals themselves. Louis said there is only one mindset, no matter the opponent: to win.
“[It’s about] staying aggressive … I think if we play at a good, high level, and do it consistently, I think we could beat anyone in this country,” he said.
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu, zachcarter039@gmail.com or via X @ZachCarter85.
