Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
8-5 (3-3MIVA)
McKendree
5-11 (0-8MIVA)
Men?s Volleyball Sweeps McKendree 3-0
February 21, 2015 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The No. 15 Ball State (8-5, 3-3 MIVA) men's volleyball team rebounded from a four match losing streak when it served up a narrow 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-23) sweep to McKendree University (5-11, 0-8 MIVA) Friday evening.
“I think tonight's match was really important because there was beginning to be a bit of a monkey on our back and we wanted to get rid of that,” Ball State men's volleyball head coach Joel Walton said. “We wanted our guys to play more relaxed and more confident. Coming from behind in game one tonight was a critical effort from our guys. I'm proud we were able to do that.”
Junior Marcin Niemczewski topped the Cardinal offense with a recorded 17 kills on a .517 attack percentage while racking up six digs throughout the match. He was joined in the ranks by senior Matt Sutherland who tallied 16 kills for a .300 attack percentage while he also posted four digs on the night. Niemczewski also downed one ace while Sutherland took on 24 receptions with a .960 percentage and four digs.
“We traded off kills with McKendree throughout the match and we need to pick up the energy a bit more,” Sutherland said. “But overall we're really happy we pulled away and came out with a three game win.”
Sophomore Brendan Surane served up two of four Ball State service aces in the match, with Sutherland and freshman Matt Walsh marking the others. At the net, Walsh and Surane stopped four attacks each, with one solo block and three block assists a piece.
Ball State and McKendree held a tight match in the stat books, with each team posting a .359 and .333 attack percentage, respectively. Ball State held the advantage in kills (48-39) and blocks (10.5-6.0), despite falling in digs to the Bearcats (24-19). The Cardinals balanced between 13 lead changes through the course of the night and narrowly fell in overall attack errors with 15 errors to McKendree's 13.
“I think the hardest thing about playing McKendree is that they are a relatively new program in our conference and our team isn't used to playing their players,” Walton went on. “It's always difficult the first time you play somebody to know what they like to do. We can show the guys all the video we want and tell them tendencies but sometimes until you step on the court and actually see it, it doesn't sink in and kind of hit home.”
The win improves Ball State's all-time series record with McKendree to 2-0, with both victories being sweeps at home.
The Ball State men's volleyball team will continue Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association conference play against big-time rival Ohio State on Saturday, Feb. 21 in Worthen Arena. The team will hold a team poster signing following the match.
“Ohio State is going to put a lot of pressure on us and on our serving. We have to keep our offense running the way that it did tonight,” Walton said of tomorrow's Ohio State matchup. “Ohio State is playing a good round of volleyball this year and I expect our mentality is going to be better tomorrow than it was tonight. I felt like we were flat tonight, but we need to show up and be ready to compete tomorrow. “
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State men's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateMVB on Twitter and Instagram.
