The men's volleyball team heads into its first conference match today with a 3-0 record, after beating Carthage 3-0 (30-12, 30-28, 30-18) at home Friday.
BSU dominated in game one, going on a 9-0 run to take the lead at 12-3, and never looked back. Attack errors hurt Carthage, who ended with a -.156 for the first game.
Carthage fought back in game two, taking an early lead.
"Carthage started making more defensive plays," head coach Joel Walton said.
A kill by Grabovac brought the Cards within 16-14 and gave the team a needed push. BSU took the lead at 20-19 and held it for the rest of the game.
Walton said the team also might have relaxed too much after game one, committing seven service errors in the second. Despite that, BSU finished the match with an above-average seven aces.
Middle attacker Zoran Grabovac said the team has a tendency from previous years to slip after winning a set.
"History repeats itself," he said.
Ball State started strong again in the third game, taking a 6-0 lead and cruising from there.
The team finished with seven blocks to Carthage's two and a .298 hitting percentage to Carthage's -.022.
Grabovac (.571) and Luis Castera led the team with 10 kills apiece. Evan Berg added seven kills and eight digs.
Despite big leads in two games, Walton said the team still needed to work on offensive consistency.
"We're taking baby steps to where we want to be," he said.
A healthier Grabovac has helped, though. The 6-foot-8 junior had surgery on his left knee over the summer.
"He's a nearly different person this year with two [good] legs," Walton said.
The Cards used a new defensive scheme against Carthage to prepare for their match at Lewis tonight.
"We're going to see two very good left-side attackers," Walton said.
Walton said the scheme -- leaving an extra player in the backcourt -- will help BSU compete against the tall attackers, who can hit balls over blockers.
Although the Cards head into tonight's match undeafeted, Grabovac said there is always room for improvement.
"I'm never satisfied; I always want to do better," he said. "We can always do better as a team."
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
