Cardinals Sweep the Norse for 13th Consecutive Home Victory

Thursday, April 2

Muncie, IN

7 pm

Ball State University

21-3,12-2MIVA

Northern Kentucky

5-15,2-11MIVA

Northern Ky.

Ball St.

Photo by: Brayden Goins / Ball State Athletics

Cardinals Sweep the Norse for 13th Consecutive Home Victory

April 02, 2026 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. – The seventh-ranked Ball State men's volleyball team continued its dominant run inside Worthen Arena Thursday evening, picking up a swift straight-set victory (25-21, 25-20, 25-17) versus Northern Kentucky.

With the win, the Cardinals (21-3, 12-2 MIVA) maintain their standing at the top of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association while claiming their 13th consecutive win at home this season and extending their win streak to six. While undefeated at home, BSU has dropped just six sets in Worthen compared to 39 won.

Ball State's offense was firing away versus the Norse (5-15 2-11 MIVA), as the team finished with a.375 hitting percentage while holding NKU to a .208 clip. Junior setter Lucas Machado was the engine behind the efficiency, tallying 27 assists. Machado was also a presence on defense, claiming a team-best three blocks and four digs.

MIVA Offensive Player of the Week Patrick Rogers captured his second straight double-double of 2026, striking down a match-high 14 kills on.423 hitting with 10 digs. The senior totaled seven digs in set two alone. Wil Basilio and Ryan Louis provided significant support, contributing seven and six kills respectively. Daniel Gunther and Jacob Surette were nearly perfect at the net, each recording five kills as Gunther hit .833 and Surette hit .714. Gunther also paced the Cardinals in service aces, claiming two.

Ball State set the tone in the opening frame as Rogers and Gunther combined for eight kills while Ball State fended off a late Norse push. BSU remained efficient throughout sets two and three, letting the Norse see just one lead change in set two before wrapping up the night with a 6-2 run to close the match in the third.

The Cardinals look to close out the regular season at home with two conference rematches. The men battle No. 16 Lewis for beach day on April 9, with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. Ball State then attempts to complete the conference avenge tour as it celebrates senior night versus No. 9 Loyola on April 11 at 4 p.m.