Ball State University
11-5,4-2MIVA
Ohio State University
6-8,3-3MIVA
No. 11 Ball State Defeats No. 16 Ohio State in Five
February 28, 2025 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The No. 11 Cardinals (11-5, 4-2 MIVA) took down the No. 16 Buckeyes (6-8, 3-3 MIVA) Thursday night at home in Worthen Arena in an action-packed five-set match.
Ball State bested MIVA rival Ohio State 3-2 (23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-25, 15-12) under the offensive leadership of Patrick Rogers, Rajé Alleyne and Ryan Bartz. Rogers added 18 kills while Alleyne added 10. Bartz subbed in for the Cardinals in the third set and was able to tally 6 kills at an impressive .857 hitting percentage.
Assisting the Cardinals' offense was Griffin Satterfield. Satterfield soared to new heights against the Buckeyes, hitting career high numbers in assists, aces and blocks. In total, the junior setter was able to add 42 assists, three aces and three blocks.
Defensively, Vanis Buckholz, Rogers, and Braydon Savitski-Lynde protected at the net, each recording four blocks. Cameron Gray led the team in digs with nine total.
Ball State jumped ahead right away in the first set, taking a 4-0 lead over the Buckeyes. The Cardinals were able to maintain the advantage through 19-15, before Ohio State took a three-point run to get back within one. Rogers responded with a kill to put the Cardinals ahead 20-18, but Ohio State answered right back, tying the set at 20-20. The two teams went point-for-point until Ohio State was able to secure the frame 25-23 on a kill and a Cardinal error.
Momentum picked up for the Cardinals in set two, with the team taking an early 8-4 lead. Ball State was able to hold off the Buckeyes to the end of the set, winning the point at 25-20.
Ohio State came back forcefully in set three, leading by as much as six after a kill made it a 17-11 score. Despite being down, the Cardinals were able to battle back and tie the set at 19-19. From there, Ball State was able to secure the frame on a 25-22 kill from Bartz.
Once again, the Buckeyes responded well and took full control of the fourth. Ohio State was able to hold the Cardinals at 15, forcing a fifth set. For the win, Ball State finished the fifth frame 15-12 over the Buckeyes.
As a team, the Cardinals hit .337 (49-15-101) on the night in comparison to the Buckeye's .286 (57-21-126).
Next up, Ball State will host Lindenwood on Saturday (Mar. 1) for their second matchup of the season. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.
