Ball State University
23-3,12-2MIVA
No. 6 Purdue Fort Wayne
17-13,6-8MIVA
Men's Volleyball Crowned MIVA Tournament Champions; Jenness Named Tourney MVP
April 23, 2022 | Men's Volleyball
The Cardinals claim the title for the first time in 20 years
MUNCIE, Ind. – For the first time in 20 years, the Ball State men's volleyball team was crowned the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Tournament Champions after earning a thrilling 3-0 sweep over in-state and MIVA rival Purdue Fort Wayne Saturday night in Worthen Arena.
In a hard-fought battle from both sides of the court, the Cardinals (23-3) collective effort unhinged the Mastodons (17-13) in the final set to win the match in front of an electric atmosphere of 1,545.
For the first time in 20 years, the Cardinals are @MIVAVolleyball TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! ??#ChirpChirp x #WeFly pic.twitter.com/hJL0FVZihj
— BSU Men's Volleyball (@BallStateMVB) April 24, 2022
For the match, Ball State finished the night off with a .308 hitting percentage off of a team total 48 kills.
It was a nail biter in the first set as both teams traded leads. The set would go into an extra period in which the Cardinals came out on top, 28-26.
After a rocky start for the Cardinals in the second set, a seven-point run after trailing 17-16, recaptured the lead and allowed the team the opportunity to settle back in and continue the powerful effort in the set.
To finish off the Mastodons in the second set, senior outside attacker Kaleb Jenness and freshman middle blocker Vanis Buckholz partnered for a big block bringing the Cardinals to a 2-0 lead in the match.
To establish the dominate lead in the third set, the Cardinals maintained a six-point run, including a big block from graduate student middle blocker Will Hippe and Jenness to bring the lead to 20-13 and would go on to take the third frame, 25-16.
Jenness led both the offensive and defensive efforts with 18 kills, five block assists, and a block solo, while graduate student opposite Angelos Mandilaris followed closely behind with 14 kills and three block assists.
Surprise, surprise! The king is back. ??
— BSU Men's Volleyball (@BallStateMVB) April 24, 2022
We're going dancing!! ??
It was LOUD in Muncie tonight!!#ForDrDon l #ChirpChirp l #WeFly pic.twitter.com/FRixR5lx5x
Ball State will return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002. It will be the Cardinals' 16th appearance in the tournament all-time.
Ball State will learn their NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship bracket on Sunday, April 24 during the NCAA Selection Show which will begin at 1 p.m. The Cardinals will travel to Los Angeles, Calif. to the host site of the 2022 NCAA Tournament – UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.
MIVA All-Tournament Team:
Ball State: Kaleb Jenness (MVP)
Ball State: Quinn Isaacson
Ball State: Angelos Mandilaris
Purdue Fort Wayne: Zach Solomon
Purdue Fort Wayne: Kade Bontrager
Loyola Chicago: Parker Van Buren
Lewis: Tyler Mitchem
NCAA Tournament Schedule:
First Round – May 1
Second & Third Round – May 3
Semifinals – May 5
Championship – May 7
Did someone say volleyball school??
— BSU Men's Volleyball (@BallStateMVB) April 24, 2022
MIVA CHAMPS! But we're not done yet... ????#ForDrDon | #ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/JeKUD9PhI4
