Two weeks ago it was California. Then it was New Hampshire. Thisweekend, the Ball State women's volleyball team takes its travelingroad show to Pennsylvania to participate in the PittsburghInvitational.
The Cardinals will square off against the University ofPittsburgh Friday evening, followed by two matches on Saturday,Robert Morris University and the University of Dayton. While notall three schools are as big in the college volleyball world assome of Ball State's earlier opponents this season - e.g. theUniversity of Southern California or the University of NorthernIowa - head coach Randy Litchfield is still excited about thequality of play the Cardinals will face.
"This is a real good tournament field," he said. "Pitt has beenplaying great volleyball through these first three weeks. Dayton'sexpected to compete for their conference championship. RobertMorris has been winning its conference in the past. We'll be testedall three times."
The host school, Pittsburgh, is the team that concernsLitchfield the most.
"I think Pitt has a real veteran squad," Litchfield said. "Theyhave three terrific outside hitters and their libero play isfantastic. I think they're the class of the tournament as it standsright now."
The Panthers' libero, sophomore Megan McGrane, is receivingattention not only from Litchfield and the Cardinals, but theentire country. McGrane, a graduate of Delta High School nearMuncie, currently leads all Division I players with an average of7.18 digs per game. By comparison, Ball State's libero, sophomoreStephanie Keller, is currently averaging 4.71 digs per game.
One Cardinal player that has something more than volleyball tolook forward to is sophomore Sarah Obras.
"Her family is from the Pittsburgh area, soI think Sarah will bereally excited to play over there," Litchfield said.
The 5-foot 10 outside attacker has been on fire lately. Withinthe past week, she was named Most Valuable Player of the NewHampshire Tournament and then Mid-American Conference West DivisionPlayer of the Week.
Joining Obras on the attack for the Cardinals will be outsideattacker Kelly Cochran, who in four matches last week recordedcareer-highs in kills (15), attempts (50), hitting percentage(.185) and digs (14). So far, Litchfield is pleased with the playof the true freshman.
"College volleyball is a dramatic change and she's played inenough games now to have a good feel for it," he said. "Wecertainly need to keep getting her more involved."
The Pittsburgh Invitational is increasingly important for theCardinals as the MAC season looms on the not-so distant horizon,Litchfield said.
"This team senses that conference play is right around thecorner and there is no better time to get going than rightnow."
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