Ball State University
Ohio State University
Men's Volleyball Looks To Remain Undefeated At Home Saturday Against Ohio State
February 26, 2021 | Men's Volleyball
The Cardinals have not lost at home (6-0) or in MIVA action (4-0) so far this season
Ball State (7-1, 4-0 MIVA) | Ohio State (4-6, 3-3 MIVA)
Muncie, Ind. | Worthen Arena | Ball State Notes | Ohio State Notes
Date: Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. ET: Watch: ESPN3 | Listen: SL Digital | Live Stats
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WELCOME BACK TO WORTHEN: The Cardinals are 6-0 in Worthen Arena thus 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 then swept Lindenwood in both MIVA competitions on Feb. 20 and 21 by a score of 3-0. The Cardinals now look to remain undefeated on its home court Saturday when it hosts MIVA rival Ohio State. The Cardinals defeated the Buckeyes in their lone meeting last year in four sets (16-25, 29-27, 26-24, 25-18) on March 4, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE: The Buckeyes enter tonight's contest with an overall record of 4-6 and a 3-3 MIVA record. Ohio State is looking to continue on the winning track after earning two impressive wins over No. 11 Loyola Chicago last weekend. The Buckeyes defeated the Rambler's 3-2 on Saturday and a 3-0 sweep on Sunday. The Buckeyes standout player from last week was Martin Lallemand who finished the weekend with a .370 hitting percentage and total of 27 kills. Ohio State owns a 31-38 record when playing in Muncie.
JENNESS AND ISAACSON SWEEP MAC WEEKLY HONORS: Ball State junior outside hitter Kaleb Jenness (Mount Pleasant, S.C./Wando) and senior setter Quinn Isaacson (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) have been tabbed as the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) offensive and defensive players of the week. Jenness and Isaacson led the Cardinals in a pair of 3-0 sweeps over the weekend against Lindenwood to help Ball State extend its winning streak to seven and remain undefeated in MIVA action. Jenness opened the weekend with a 19-kill performance on 34 swings for a .441 hitting percentage in Saturday's win. On Sunday, he mimicked that performance with 18 kills on another 34 attempts for a .353 hitting percentage. He also helped defensively with six digs. For the week, Jenness totaled 37 kills on 68 attacks for a .397 hitting percentage. Isaacson also played a huge roll in the Cardinals' two victories. He led Ball State defensively with a season-best 13 digs on Saturday night against the Lions. He recorded six digs more on Sunday to total 19 for the weekend, an average of 3.17 per set. Isaacson also registered two block assists.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Cardinals will travel to Lewis next weekend for a pair of matches on March 5 and March 6 with both matches beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
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:Â 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).
