Ball State University Athletics
Men's Volleyball To Open 2015 Season
January 08, 2015 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State men's volleyball team will open its new season with an exciting weekend of action when they take on the University of Mount Olive and Barton College. The matches are to take place in Mount Olive, N.C. Friday night at 7 p.m., followed by Barton College in Wilson, N.C. at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
The Cardinals were voted to finish fifth of nine in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association in the preseason poll, as voted by the coaches. Ball State has two left attackers and a libero returning to their 2015 lineup, though challenges this season will include the integration of new setters and new players to the middle attack positions. Such losses the Cards have encountered include Matt Leske who was the top blocker in the conference and Kevin Owens who was the sixth top blocker in the conference.
Ball State is fortunate to have have two of the three top attackers returning to the team. Amongst those returning is senior David Ryan Vander Meer who was a first team all conference libero, led the team in digs, and led the MIVA conference in digs and digs per set. Other notable returners include junior Marcin Niemczewski who led the team in both kills and sets, senior Shane Witmer who recorded third most kills, and senior Matt Sutherland with fifth most kills for Ball State.
This weekend's action marks the start of the season for both Mount Olive and Barton. Mount Olive finished the 2014 season at 15-12 after losing the Carolina Conference final to Erskine. Barton went 12-17 in the 2014 season after falling to Erskine in the semifinals.
For fans unable to attend this weekend's action, live results will be available to follow at:
Mount Olive
Live Stats: http://www.umotrojans.com/sports/mvball/2014-15/boxscores/20150109_pivu.xml
Live Broadcast: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mount-olive-college-athletics
Barton
Live Stats: http://www.bartonbulldogs.com/sports/mvball/2014-15/boxscores/20150110_1xby.xml
Live Broadcast: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/barton-college-athletics
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State men's volleyball action, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateMVB on Twitter and Instagram.
