Ball State University
McKendree University
Men's Volleyball Closes Out MIVA Regular Season Action at McKendree
April 02, 2021 | Men's Volleyball
Ball State (10-6, 7-5Â MIVA) vs. McKendree (9-4, 8-4 MIVA)
Lebanon, Ill. | Melvin Price Convocation Center | 8:30 p.m. ET both matches
Game Notes:Â Ball State | McKendree
Series History: Ball State leads the series with McKendree by a count of 9-5.
GAMES 17Â & 18
Live Video | Live Stats
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Cardinals close out their 2021 MIVA regular season on the road atÂ
McKendree on April 2 at 8:30 p.m. ET and then on April 3 at 8 p.m. ET. Ball State and McKendree did not meet last year due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Cardinals last meeting against the Bearcats was on April 13, 2019 in the MIVA quarterfinals, resulting in a five set loss for Ball State. Ball State leads the series with McKendree by a count of 9-5. Ball State will need to sweep the series over the Bearcats to put itself into position to host the quarterfinals of the MIVA Tournament which begins on campus sites on April 10.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS: Ball State dropped both of its matches last weekend at home against Loyola Chicago although the Cardinals put up a good fight on Saturday against the Wolves, almost sending the match to a fifth set. BSU lost 3-0 on Friday and then 3-1 on Saturday to Loyola Chicago. Before the first serve, Ball State recognized current seniors Ben Chinnici, Ryan Dorgan, Nick LaVanchy and Blake Reardon along with Matt Szews and Nate Amos who returned from last season's squad because they did not get the proper farewell due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Sadly, the Cardinals also had to bid farewell to Walton for his 23 years at the helm of the Ball State men's volleyball program. Walton had announced his retirement prior to the start of the 2021 season. After the match, Walton said his career at Ball State has really been the fulfillment of a dream to have played at Ball State and then have the opportunity to coach for his alma mater. He said it has been an incredible honor to have been a part of such a storied program that has produced some amazing coaches along with some unbelievable players and athletes.
SCOUTING MCKENDREE: The No. 12 McKendree Bearcats own a 9-4 overall and an 8-4 MIVA ledger heading into this weekend's contests. The Bearcats snapped a four-game losing steak this past weekend after splitting their two-game series against Purdue Fort Wayne. McKendree got swept by the Mastodons on Saturday but rebounded with a 3-0 sweep itself on Sunday versus Purdue Fort Wayne.
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 410 career wins, owning an overall record of 410-236 (.637).
MIVA TOURNAMENT TIME:Â The MIVA Tournament will begin a week earlier than anticipated with the quarterfinals beginning on April 10, the semifinals on April 17 and the championship match on April 24. The format will be that all eight teams qualify. Higher seed of each matchup will host. So, the top four seeds should expect to host in the first round, and the higher remaining seeds should plan on hosting forward.
