MVB Takes Down Lewis in Five

Saturday, March 7

Romeoville, IL

6 pm

Ball State University

16-3,7-2MIVA

Lewis

12-7,5-4MIVA

Ball St.

Lewis

Photo by: Brayden Goins / Ball State Athletics

March 07, 2026 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – The ninth-ranked Ball State men's volleyball program walked out victorious in its first five-set match of the year, taking down No. 14 Lewis in a back-and-forth battle inside of Neil Carey Arena Saturday evening.

In a closely contested matchup that featured 44 tied scores and 19 lead changes, the Cardinals (16-3, 7-2 MIVA) persevered to overcome a 2-1 deficit, closing the win with a dominant final set to overtake the Flyers (12-7, 5-4 MIVA) in five (25-20, 27-29, 23-25, 25-20, 15-10).

Junior middle blocker Jacob Surette's presence at the net was the difference-maker for the red and white, whose career-high 10 blocks led Ball State's defensive charge to out-block Lewis 17.5-7.5. Ball State's block total is the highest it has captured so far in 2026. Braydon Savitski-Lynde contributed to the effort with five blocks, followed by Patrick Rogers who had four.

Rogers led all players on offense with 26 kills on a career-high 58 swings to give Ball State 30 points. His kill total is the second best of his career, as he totaled 28 versus D'Youville in 2023. Sophomore Ryan Louis added 16 kills on 43 attempts with a trio of service aces, leading the match along with setter Lucas Machado who had three of his own. Wil Basilio aided the offense as well as he totaled seven kills on 18 attempts.

Machado posted the second-highest assist total of his career as he orchestrated the Cardinals' offense with 49 assists. Machado also had three kills with seven digs.

Libero Victor Scherer matched his season-best 13 digs in the contest. He first met that same total in a four-set win over McKendree earlier last month (Feb. 12). Basilio recorded his third-career match with double-digit digs, tallying 10, while Louis totaled nine.

Ball State opened the match strong, hitting .400 in the first set to take a 1-0 lead. Lewis responded by narrowly taking the second and third sets, fueled by a relentless attack from Hoying who led the Flyers with 19 total kills.

The Cardinals found its rhythm in the fourth set, utilizing a 5.0 team block performance to halt the Flyers and force a deciding fifth frame. In the final set, Ball State's defense remained primed, recording 3.5 blocks to hold off Lewis.

Ball State looks to carry this win into next week as it attempts to avenge its blemish against Ohio State, hosting the Buckeyes March 12 at 6 p.m. inside Worthen Arena. Streaming will be available on ESPN+ and tickets can be purchased here.