Men's Volleyball Back In MIVA Action This Weekend; Hosts Lindenwood

Saturday, February 20

Muncie, Ind.

6 p.m.

Ball State University

Lindenwood

Men's Volleyball Back In MIVA Action This Weekend; Hosts Lindenwood

February 19, 2021 | Men's Volleyball

WELCOME BACK TO WORTHEN: The Cardinals are 4-0 in Worthen Arena so far this season after defeating Lincoln Memorial on Jan. 28 by a score of 3-0 and then took the Railsplitters down again on Jan. 29, 3-1. BSU continued its winning ways when it opened up MIVA action at home on Feb. 5-6 against Purdue Fort Wayne, winning both those matches 3-1 and 3-0, respectively. Ball State looks to remain undefeated on its home court Saturday when it hosts Lindenwood at 6 p.m. ET in MIVA action. BSU will close out the weekend against the Lions on Sunday with first serve at 2 p.m. ET. Both matches can be viewed live on ESPN3. Ball State dropped its lone meeting against Lindenwood last season, 3-1, in St. Charles, Mo.

SCOUTING LINDENWOOD: Lindenwood comes to Muncie with an overall record of 3-4 and a winless MIVA ledger, 0-4. The Lions have fallen to fellow MIVA opponents McKendree both by a score of 3-0 on Feb. 4 and Feb. 6. Lindenwood recently dropped two to No. 13 Loyola falling to the Wolves last Friday by a score of 0-3 and then dropped Saturday's match, 3-1.

WALTON'S WORDS: Lindenwood beat us at their place last year. They return most of the players from last year's team. We need to be focused this weekend to stay on track with our goals in MIVA play. I expect two very competitive matches.

A LITTLE TIME OFF: Ball State hasn't played in almost two weeks due to last weekends matches being canceled at Lewis. But the Cardinals are looking forward to getting back on track this weekend against Lindenwood.

READY FOR REARDON: BSU vollyeball veteran outside attacker Blake Reardon had an impressive start to the 2021 season earning All-Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Offensive Player of the Week honors. Reardon was an offensive threat in both matches at George Mason (Jan. 22-23), helping the Cardinals to a 3-1 victory over the 13th-ranked Patriots on Jan. 23. Reardon started the weekend off with a 24-kill performance over George Mason on Friday, nearly giving Ball State the win over the Patriots in five sets. He then mimicked that performance with 25 kills in Saturday's competition on just 46 attacks for a .391 hitting percentage. He also served two of Ball State's seven aces. Reardon came in clutch in some crucial moments during the match to seal the win for BSU. The graduate senior finished the weekend with 49 kills (5.44) for a .320 hitting percentage. He also added 12 digs and five total blocks. Reardon continues to be an offensive threat for the Cardinals as he leads the squad offensively with a total of 102 kills for a .294 hittig percentage.

PRESEASON ALL-MIVA: Junior outside attacker Kaleb Jenness (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) was named to the Preseason All-Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association team, while the Cardinals were picked to finish third in the preseason poll. Jenness finished the abbreviated 2020 season with a team high 246 kills to earn a spot on the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American Honorable Mention Team.

THE END OF AN ERA: One of the winningest coaches in NCAA men's volleyball history will lead Ball State's program for one more season. Head coach Joel Walton announced he will retire following the completion of the 2021 season. A two-time Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Coach of the Year, Walton enters his 23rd and final season at the helm of the Cardinals ranked fourth among active NCAA men's volleyball head coaches (Divisions I, II or III) with 403 career wins, owning an overall record of 403-230 (.637).