Ball State University
7-3,0-0MIVA
Tusculum University
3-7,0-0DI Independent
Ryan Louis Leads the Cardinals in Second Sweep Over Tusculum
January 31, 2025 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Cardinals soared past Tusculum (3-7) Friday night at home, securing another 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-18) victory and moving to 7-3 on the season.
After subbing into the second set, Ryan Louis led the rest of the way for Ball State, hitting a collegiate-best .667 percentage and adding 11 kills. Vanis Buckholz was also a strong asset, adding six kills and five blocks.
An early four-point run (9-4) secured the Cardinals' lead through the first frame. Not long after, four straight Ball State kills extended their advantage to 14-6. An attack error from the Pioneers gave set one to the Cardinals with a 25-14 final.
Ball State decided to shake up the starters heading into set two, adding Wil Basilio, Louis and Will Patterson to the rotation. At an even 4-4 match, the Cardinals took the next five points under the direction of Basilio and Louis. Ball State kept the Pioneers at bay with a kill from Louis ending the second frame at 25-20.
Tusculum played a close match going into the third, tying the frame at 5-5 with a kill from middle blocker, Morgan Makovec. They remained close until back-to-back kills from Louis prompted a six-point run (23-16). A kill from Buckholz sealed the deal at 25-18, giving the Cardinals their fourth-straight win.
As a team, the Cardinals hit .375 from the floor compared to the Pioneers .060.
Ball State will now prepare for conference play as the first Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) match will take place in Worthen Arena next Thursday (Feb. 6) as the team welcomes Purdue Fort Wayne.
