MVB Captures MIVA Semifinal Victory Versus McKendree

Wednesday, April 22

Muncie, Ind.

7 p.m.

Ball State University

24-4,13-3MIVA

McKendree University

18-11,9-7MIVA

Team	1	2	3	Final F
McKendree	23	18	21	0
Ball St.	25	25	25	3

Photo by: Josh Brunette

MVB Captures MIVA Semifinal Victory Versus McKendree

April 22, 2026 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's volleyball team shined in its Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association semifinal matchup, completing a straight-set win versus McKendree (25-23, 25-18, 25-21) inside Worthen Arena Wednesday evening.

With the victory, the Cardinals (24-4, 13-3 MIVA) are bound for the conference tournament championship match on April 25, eyeing an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament. With 16 wins at home this season, Ball State has accomplished its highest win total in Worthen since reaching the same mark in 2004.

The Cardinals controlled the match offensively, hitting .481 as a unit, while limiting the Bearcats (18-11, 9-7 MIVA) to a .312 clip as a team. Machado led the floor with 37 assists, leading both sides. Ball State also struck down 46 kills compared to McKendree's 34 while tallying five service aces to the Bearcats' zero.

The red and white found itself in a tight opening frame, with two tied scores, including a late deadlock at 20-20. The Cardinals remained composed down the stretch, responding with a 5-3 run led by senior outside Patrick Rogers and sophomore opposite Ryan Louis to claim set one 25-23.
Rogers led the contest with 16 kills on .500 hitting – his 12th match this season hitting that percentage or better.  Louis followed with 11 kills on 17 strikes. Both men led the match with a pair of service aces.

Ball State continued the momentum into sets two and three, swatting 17 total kills in the second and 18 in the third. The Cardinals began to break away for a 15-11 run in the second frame after a Rogers ace, finding themselves leading by as many as seven in the game.

In the third, BSU jumped out early and maintained its lead throughout. Daniel Günther completed an ace that advanced the Cardinals' lead to five at 11-6. As the Bearcats trimmed the deficit to three, Ball State continued to apply pressure using kills from Rogers, Louis and Günther to clinch the match.

Defensively, the Cardinals were led at the net by Rogers who recorded three blocks. Machado, Günther and Jacob Surette added a pair each. Louis paced the match in digs, recording eight. Wil Basilio had six, while Rogers contributed four.

The Cardinals look to claim its 16th MIVA Tournament Championship Saturday, April 25, as they host Loyola Chicago inside Worthen for the deciding match. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.