Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Brayden Goins / Ball State Athletics
Cardinals Best No. 12 McKendree in Four
February 12, 2026 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The ninth-ranked Ball State men's volleyball team saw its second ranked win of the season with a 3-1 (25-19, 25-20, 26-28, 25-16) victory over No. 12 McKendree. The men's squad stamped its eighth-straight win at home in 2026 while remaining unbeaten in conference play.
The Cardinals (11-1, 3-0 MIVA) last reached the 8-0 mark at Worthen Arena in the 2013 season, spanning from March 9 to April 13.
Three different members from Ball State's side totaled double-digit kills, led by sophomore Ryan Louis who led the match with 17 on .389 hitting. His kill total only trails his season-best of 25 which he recorded vs. Missouri S&T (Jan. 9). Louis also led the match with three service aces, setting a career high.
Wil Basilio also earned a career-high vs. the Bearcats (6-5, 1-2 MIVA), tallying 12 kills on a .308 clip to go along with seven digs. Senior outside Patrick Rogers added 10 kills with seven digs and three blocks.
Setter Lucas Machado controlled the floor with 44 assists on the night, his second-highest total this season behind the 54 he also set vs. the Miners earlier this season. Machado's assist total was accompanied by six kills on .600 hitting with seven digs, two blocks and an ace.
Libero Victor Scherer paced the Cardinals with 13 digs, his best total this season. At the net, Will Patterson had a season-best six blocks, leading both teams.
After taking the first two sets over the Bearcats, Ball State led by three at match point until giving up two kills and a service ace to McKendree, tying the set at 24-24. The next three points were back-and-forth before two Ball State errors gave the Bearcats the momentum to take the third thanks to a kill from McKendree's leading scorer Sam Hoskin.
The Cardinals responded well in set four, going on a six-point run to lead by nine at 18-9. Kills from Louis, Basilio and Braydon Savitski-Lynde guided Ball State through the end of the set, taking the match after a McKendree error.
The Ball State men's volleyball team returns to Worthen tomorrow night to host conference foe No. 13 Lindenwood for Club Team Day. The match is slated to begin at 6 p.m. ET. Broadcast will be available on ESPN+, and tickets can be purchased here.
The Cardinals (11-1, 3-0 MIVA) last reached the 8-0 mark at Worthen Arena in the 2013 season, spanning from March 9 to April 13.
Three different members from Ball State's side totaled double-digit kills, led by sophomore Ryan Louis who led the match with 17 on .389 hitting. His kill total only trails his season-best of 25 which he recorded vs. Missouri S&T (Jan. 9). Louis also led the match with three service aces, setting a career high.
Wil Basilio also earned a career-high vs. the Bearcats (6-5, 1-2 MIVA), tallying 12 kills on a .308 clip to go along with seven digs. Senior outside Patrick Rogers added 10 kills with seven digs and three blocks.
Setter Lucas Machado controlled the floor with 44 assists on the night, his second-highest total this season behind the 54 he also set vs. the Miners earlier this season. Machado's assist total was accompanied by six kills on .600 hitting with seven digs, two blocks and an ace.
Libero Victor Scherer paced the Cardinals with 13 digs, his best total this season. At the net, Will Patterson had a season-best six blocks, leading both teams.
After taking the first two sets over the Bearcats, Ball State led by three at match point until giving up two kills and a service ace to McKendree, tying the set at 24-24. The next three points were back-and-forth before two Ball State errors gave the Bearcats the momentum to take the third thanks to a kill from McKendree's leading scorer Sam Hoskin.
The Cardinals responded well in set four, going on a six-point run to lead by nine at 18-9. Kills from Louis, Basilio and Braydon Savitski-Lynde guided Ball State through the end of the set, taking the match after a McKendree error.
The Ball State men's volleyball team returns to Worthen tomorrow night to host conference foe No. 13 Lindenwood for Club Team Day. The match is slated to begin at 6 p.m. ET. Broadcast will be available on ESPN+, and tickets can be purchased here.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Volleyball
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/ Men's Volleyball
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/ Men's Volleyball
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/ Men's Volleyball
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/ Men's Volleyball
MB/OPP
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