No. 15 Men’s Volleyball Loses Hard Fought Battle to No. 4 Hawai’i

Sunday, January 28

Muncie, Ind.

7 pm

Ball State University

7-5,0-0MIVA

University of Hawaii (Fraternity/Sorority Night)

6-1,0-0Big West

Hawaii

Ball St.

Photo by: Samantha Blankenship / Ball State University

No. 15 Men’s Volleyball Loses Hard Fought Battle to No. 4 Hawai’i

January 28, 2024 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

MUNCIE, Ind. - Although the score may not have indicated it, tonight's nationally ranked matchup between the No. 15 Cardinals (7-5) and the No. 4 Rainbows (6-1) was a tight contest in all four sets. Unfortunately, Ball State would fall to Hawai'i by a score of 3-1 Sunday night in Worthen Arena.

The Cardinals got off to a slow to start in the opening set trailing the Rainbows 5-2 early in the frame. The combination of Patrick Rogers, Tinaishe Ndavazocheva and Vanis Buckholz along with some nice defensive blocks at the net allowed BSU to knot the first set 10-10. After that, it was a bit of a seesaw match until the Rainbows had a late surge that would put them back up 22-17. Ball State continued to fight with kills from Buckholz, Ndavazocheva and Braydon Savitski-Lynde to make it 24-23 but Hawai'i took the next point and the first set, 25-23.

Ball State came out strong in the second stanza jumping out to a quick 3-1 lead over Hawai'i. The Cardinals held onto a slight edge throughout the second set. Rogers had some nicely placed kills that helped BSU stay atop later in the set (14-12). The Rainbow's never let up though and the match would be tied once again, 20-20. But big swings from Rogers and Ndavazocheva helped put the Cardinals back up 23-21. A block solo from Savitski-Lynde made it set point for BSU. Despite Hawai'i making it 24-23 Ndavazocheva would fly high to nail the kill and the Cardinals would take the second frame, 25-23.

Hawai'i dominated the third period, but it wasn't a lack of effort by Ball State. The Cardinals competed but the Rainbows held onto a two or more-point lead throughout the duration of the third set. Hawai'i would end up taking the lead 2-1 after winning the frame, 25-21.

The fourth set mimicked the third as Hawai'i had quickly built a 11-6 advantage over Ball State. Some unforeseen errors caused the Cardinals to trail the Rainbows the remainder of the match. Hawai'i went on to take the set (25-19) and the match (3-1).

For the match, three Cardinals reached double figure kills with Ndavazocheva and Savitski-Lynde leading the way with 16 apiece. Rogers would round out the double figure kills with 13. Defensively, Will Patterson registered eight block assists. Lucas Machado dished out 49 assists and registered nine digs.

The Ball State men's volleyball team remains at home when it open Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association action against Loyola-Chicago Thursday at 7 pm ET in Worthen Arena.