Bartz Leads the way with 16 Kills as MVB Sweeps Trine

Tuesday, January 16

Muncie, Ind.

6 pm ET

Ball State University

7-2,0-0MIVA

Trine University

0-1,0-0MCVL

Trine

Ball St.

Photo by: Claire Witte / Ball State Athletics

Bartz Leads the way with 16 Kills as MVB Sweeps Trine

January 16, 2024 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. - It was the Cardinals (7-2) fourth match in six days, but the use of a few different lineups allowed Ball State to earn the 3-0 sweep against Trine (0-1) Tuesday night in Worthen Arena.

The opening frame turned out to be an up-and-down affair between Ball State and Trine. The Cardinals never let the score get too out of hand. BSU finally went up by five (16-10) after a few kills from Dyer Ball and some strong serves by Ryan Bartz which led BSU taking set one over the Trine, 25-16.

In anything communication is key, and the second set proved just that as the Cardinals jumped out to an impressive 10-4 advantage after hitting .667 from the floor midway through the second frame. Trine made a comeback and would make it 11-9 match, but Bartz and Nathan Goh snapped the Thunder's comeback with back-to-back kills to put the Cardinals back up 14-9. Bartz continued to be the offensive answer for Ball State the remainder of the set. BSU secured set two 25-20 off a block assist from Ball and Eyal Rawitz.

The third period was a little too close for comfort for the Cardinals. Ball State finally inched ahead 12-7 after back-to-back service aces by Rawitz. The momentum continued in the Cardinals favor which allowed BSU to not only to come out victorious in set three (25-16) but also earn the sweep versus the Thunder.

For the game, Bartz tallied his second double-digit kill performance of the season leading the Cardinals with 16 kills. As a team, Ball State had eight service aces with Bartz and Rawitz leading the way with three apiece. Bartz also had nine defensive digs.

The Ball State men's volleyball team will compete at the First Point Volleyball Collegiate Challenge in Austin, Texas this weekend. The No. 14 Cardinals will face the No. 13 University of Southern California on Friday, Jan. 19 at 2:30 pm ET and then close out play against No. 8 Stanford on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 5 pm ET.