MEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Defense showcased in Ball State win over IPFW

Junior libero David Ryan Vander Meer bumps the ball in the third set against McKendree Jan. 24 at Worthen Arena. Vander Meer recorded a career-high 22 digs against IPFW on Friday. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY
Junior libero David Ryan Vander Meer bumps the ball in the third set against McKendree Jan. 24 at Worthen Arena. Vander Meer recorded a career-high 22 digs against IPFW on Friday. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

When Ball State played IPFW Friday, the players knew they’d need to have their best defensive effort of the season.

But with Shane Witmer’s solo block atthe end of the match, the Cardinals accomplished that goal.

“The blockers played a great game, and when attackers are forced to go around that, you’ve got a great picture of the ball,” Ball State libero David Ryan Vander Meer said. “I owe all the credit
to my blockers tonight. They were amazing.”

Ball State combined for 20.5 team blocks, stifling IPFW’s offense. Coming into the match, IPFW had the nation’s top-ranked offense. It would go on to hit just .131.

Leading the way for the Cardinals was middle blocker Matt Leske. Going up against attackers Eddie Rivera and Andrew Sellan for five sets, Leske recorded 10 block assists, becoming a thorn in IPFW’s side.

“Our blocking total was pretty ridiculous,” Ball State head coach Joel Walton said. “Our guys understood IPFW’s personnel, and the coaches put together a perfect game plan for them.”

There were a variety of attackers coming at Ball State throughout the match, as IPFW brought five players who had at least 30 kills. With 1,060 fans watching, Ball State’s front line forced
IPFW into 35 attack errors, 13 of those coming from Eddie Rivera.

Vander Meer stood, or more often dove, behind the blockers, saving attacks that seemed destined to hit the court. He recorded a career-high 22 digs.

He may have led the team in digs, but it was a team effort that resulted in Ball State’s best defensive effort. With the exception of Kevin Owens, every player on the team recorded at least one dig.

Being middle blockers, neither Owens nor Leske would be expected to tally digs.

But four Cardinals managed to record double-digit digs: Vander Meer and Witmer along with Marcin Niemczewski and Graham McIlvaine.

Many of them came during the back end of crucial, close sets — the second, third and fourth.

“The [IPFW] hitters like to hit certain shots and so we were trying to shift our block and defenders towards those places,” Walton said. “We had to be focused with our middles and wing blockers to take away those shots.”

Walton said his team was expecting IPFW to set its middle attacker more often than other teams Ball State has faced.

IPFW middle attacker Ramon Burgos finished the match with 22 attacks, getting just 8 kills and hitting .273.

During most of his opportunities, Ball State shifted Leske and Niemczewski over to block, sometimes adding a third blocker for extra security.

So when Witmer leapt and rejected IPFW’s final attack, it was no surprise to Ball State’s team.

It was a fitting end to its best defensive match of the season.

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