Men's Volleyball Plays Rival Ohio State in Home and Away Series This Week

Wednesday, March 15

Muncie, Ind.

7 pm

Ball State University

Ohio State University

Men's Volleyball Plays Rival Ohio State in Home and Away Series This Week

March 14, 2023 | Men's Volleyball

Watch (ESPN3) vs. Ohio State Live Stats vs. Ohio State Watch (BIG+) at Ohio State Live Stats at Ohio State

The Cardinals welcome the Buckeyes to Worthen Arena Wednesday at 7 pm ET

Scouting Ohio State and Ball State: The Cardinals face their longest rival to date on Wednesday in Muncie, Ind. at 7 pm ET in Worthen Arena. Ohio State enters the contest ranked 15th nationally with an 11-8 overall mark and a 4-2 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) ledger. The Cardinals are tied for a 12th place ranking alongside California State Northridge. Ball State enters the contest owning an 11-7 overall mark and a 4-2 MIVA record. The Buckeyes and the Cardinals have met 191 times since Feb. 17, 1968 with the Buckeyes owning a 101-90 advantage. The teams met twice in 2022, with Ball State sweeping the home and away series, winning 3-2 in Columbus March 16, 2023 and March 19 by a score of 3-1 in Muncie. The Buckeyes are led offensively by Jacob Pasteur again this season with 254 kills. Ohio State has lost its last four contests.

Cardinal Recap: Ball State is coming off a long spring break trip out west where the Cardinals finished 1-2 through their three matches. Ball State played highly ranked Long Beach State and Grand Canyon University. The Cardinals took a five-set match while in California over UC San Diego that saw Kaleb Jenness lead the way with 21-kills. Ball State did take a set from Long Beach State losing 3-1 and got swept by GCU, 3-0.

MIVA Action: With only eight matches remaining in MIVA action the Cardinals are knotted for third with the Buckeyes as both teams are 4-2 in conference action. Loyola Chicago leads the MIVA with an unblemished 8-0 mark while Lindenwood sits at 5-2. The Cardinals fell at Loyola Chicago 3-1 Feb. 16 and will have a rematch April 6 at 7 pm ET in Worthen Arena. Ball State did beat Lindenwood in a five-set thriller, Feb. 24 in St. Charles, Mo., the second match of that series will played in Muncie March 25 at 6 pm ET.

Club Volleyball Night: Tonight's game promotion is Club Volleyball Night. The Cardinals will recognize Munciana Club Volleyball for its 50th-year anniversary. Munciana began as one team in 1974 and has grown into the longest running and one of the most successful clubs in America.Delaware County, home of Munciana Volleyball is considered one of the top three volleyball counties in the country. We field teams in all age divisions from 10U-18U at the Open, National, and Regional levels, plus a TNT team of young players new to the game.

Next Match: The Cardinals play at Ohio State Saturday for a 7 pm ET first serve in Columbus, Ohio. After that, Ball State returns home next weekend to host Quincy March 24 at 7 pm ET.