Ball State University
UCLA
No. 15 Men?s Volleyball Swept By No. 5 UCLA
March 15, 2007 | Men's Volleyball
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - - The No. 15 Ball State men's volleyball team suffered a 0-3 (20-30, 22-30, 11-30) setback in its first of two-straight matches versus defending national champion No. 5 UCLA Wednesday night at Pauley Pavilion.
With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 10-8 on the season, while the Bruins improve to 13-9.
Ball State struggled to find its offensive rhythm early, being limited to a -.030 (10-11-33) attack percentage in the opening set, and never recovered finishing the match with a -.021 (25-27-95) rate of success.
UCLA finished the match hitting .455 (51-11-88), paced by Steve Klosterman who recorded a match-best 19 kills, while hitting .692 (19-1-26).
Eric Schulte (Shorewood, Wis./Shorewood H.S.) and Matt McCarthy (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South H.S.) would pace the Cardinals offense with six kills apiece.
Mark Rumschik (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park H.S.) added four kills, while Nick Meyer (Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller H.S.) and Mark Termion (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North H.S.) each scored three and Ryan Clarke (Ballwin, Mo./Parkway South H.S.) posted two.
Jeff Schmitz (Fenton, Mo./St. John Vianney) paced the Cardinals with 21 assists, while adding a kill. Ian Peckler (Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills H.S.) tallied a team-best seven digs.
In addition to out-hitting Ball State, UCLA held a 39-to-26 edge in digs, an 11-to-5.5 advantage in blocks and a 3-to-0 lead in aces.
The Cardinals and Bruins will square off again Friday night, with another 7 p.m. (PT) contest at Pauley Pavilion.
