
Photo by: Claire Witte / Ball State Athletics
Men’s Volleyball Advances to MIVA Tourney Semifinals With 3-0 Sweep Over Queens
April 13, 2024 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The top-seeded Ball State men's volleyball team (21-9) prevailed once against Saturday night in Worthen Arena as they earned a 3-0 sweep over the eighth-seeded Queens University of Charlotte Royals (9-21) in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Tournament quarterfinals.
It marks the fourth-straight season that Ball State will advance to the semifinal round which will be played Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. ET in Worthen Arena against fourth-seeded Lindenwood. Prior to the Cardinals match, the third-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the second-seeded Loyola-Chicago Ramblers at 4 pm ET in the first semifinal match.
Like any top-seeded team in the tournament, the Cardinals dominated play over the Royals. Although, the opening set was the closest out of the three, Ball State took an impressive late lead to take set one, 25-22, which happened off a Rodney Wallace kill.
Set two was a bit dicey for the Cardinals as the Royals kept the score close until the middle portion of the frame when Trevor Phillips served up three straight points to give BSU the 12-9 edge. The Cardinals remained in control eventually cruising to a 25-18 win in which was capped off by a Tinaishe Ndavazocheva kill.
The third set mimicked the second period until Ball State was able to build a 16-11 cushion over Queens. The Royals tried to make a slight comeback late in the frame and was able to make it a two-point match (20-18) until an attack error by the Royals and then a block assist from Wallace and Peter Zurawski gave the Cardinals back some control. After that, Dyer Ball would close out the final set serving up four-straight points which included an ace for the match-winner.
The Cardinals offense was led by Phillips who had 11 kills and Ndavazocheva who finished the night with 10. Phillips also added seven defensive digs.
The Ball State men's volleyball team will play Thursday night against No. 4 Lindenwood in the MIVA Tournament semifinal round at 7 p.m. ET in Worthen Arena.
It marks the fourth-straight season that Ball State will advance to the semifinal round which will be played Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. ET in Worthen Arena against fourth-seeded Lindenwood. Prior to the Cardinals match, the third-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the second-seeded Loyola-Chicago Ramblers at 4 pm ET in the first semifinal match.
Like any top-seeded team in the tournament, the Cardinals dominated play over the Royals. Although, the opening set was the closest out of the three, Ball State took an impressive late lead to take set one, 25-22, which happened off a Rodney Wallace kill.
Set two was a bit dicey for the Cardinals as the Royals kept the score close until the middle portion of the frame when Trevor Phillips served up three straight points to give BSU the 12-9 edge. The Cardinals remained in control eventually cruising to a 25-18 win in which was capped off by a Tinaishe Ndavazocheva kill.
The third set mimicked the second period until Ball State was able to build a 16-11 cushion over Queens. The Royals tried to make a slight comeback late in the frame and was able to make it a two-point match (20-18) until an attack error by the Royals and then a block assist from Wallace and Peter Zurawski gave the Cardinals back some control. After that, Dyer Ball would close out the final set serving up four-straight points which included an ace for the match-winner.
The Cardinals offense was led by Phillips who had 11 kills and Ndavazocheva who finished the night with 10. Phillips also added seven defensive digs.
The Ball State men's volleyball team will play Thursday night against No. 4 Lindenwood in the MIVA Tournament semifinal round at 7 p.m. ET in Worthen Arena.
Team Stats
Queens
BSU
Kills
30
34
Errors
14
7
Attempts
79
76
Hitting %
.203
.355
Points
35.0
47.0
Assists
26
29
Aces
2
6
Blocks
3
7
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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