The men's volleyball team is two steps closer to being crowned the 2002 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association tournament champion. Ball State is host to the remaining three matches of the MIVA season.
No. 8 Ball State (21-7) will attempt to take its first step toward accomplishing that goal Friday against No. 10 Lewis (11-19).
These two teams were expected to finish second and first in their conference, respectively, and split their season series. Head coach Joel Walton expects this match to be used as a redeemer for Lewis. The team forfeited several games due to an ineligible player.
"Lewis is going to come in with a chip on its shoulder," Walton said. "I expect an awful lot of attitude out of their team and we've got to be prepared for that. Our guys should have attitudes that they are going out to prove they are the best team in the MIVA. That's how we need to approach the match."
Ball State will also have a chip on its shoulder. Not only will the Cardinals look to prove they are the top MIVA team this year, they also want to avenge a previous loss to Lewis that was the last of a six-match losing streak, the team's only multi-match losing streak.
"That was probably the worst match we played all season long," Walton said. "As much as anything, our guys are looking forward to the opportunity to prove that is not how they are capable of playing. They are looking for a chance to make up for what we did that night."
This weekend will also cap the collegiate home careers of four seniors. Paul Fasshauer, Juan Carlos Lopez, Doug Market and Tom Tegethoff will conclude their MIVA careers this weekend and Walton hopes the team can ride their enthusiasm and passion to the MIVA title.
"I would like to see those guys go out with a bang," Walton said. "I'd like to see them end their playing careers here on a very high note. So, I'm looking forward to those guys leading us this weekend and stepping up to show this team the way."
The MIVA All-Conference teams were recently announced as Ball State and No. 9 Loyola-Chicago, the two teams who share the MIVA regular-season conference title, were the big winners with four players. Fasshauer repeated as a first-teamer as setter Keith Schunzel was also named to the first team. Matt Denmark was a second-team selection for the second-straight year and Kyle Weindel was a third-team selection.
"It's very positive and I'm very excited about it," Walton said. "Those honors come as a result of what our team has done this season. They are individual honors as a result of our team playing at a really high level all season long."
If the Cardinals defeat Lewis, they will face the winner of second-seeded Loyola-Chicago and third-seeded Ohio State. Loyola and Ohio State will start playing at 5 p.m. with Ball State and Lewis playing at 7:30. The championship match will be Saturday and start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $3 for Ball State students and children and $5 for adults.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
