After three weekends on the road, the men's volleyball team returns to Worthen Arena tonight for its first of two weekend matches.
Ball State (6-7, 1-3 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) takes on IPFW (7-9, 4-2 MIVA) at 7:30 p.m. tonight. The team will then face off with Findlay (8-5, 2-4 MIVA) at 2 p.m. Sunday. IPFW is fourth in the MIVA, Findlay sixth and BSU seventh.
Although the Cards have the lowest ranking of the three teams, the conference losses have been to Loyola, Lewis and Ohio State, who are at the top of the MIVA.
"After this weekend, I think what we're going to have is a clear vision of the middle of the pack," head coach Joel Walton said.
To come out on top, the Cards will have to stop IPFW outside attacker Matt Zbyszewski, who averages 4.51 kills a game.
"We have to make sure we're in tune with Zbyszewski," Walton said. "We want to try and get our blockers in front of him as much as possible."
Although the Cards have struggled with blocking in past weeks, the team pulled out 13 against Clarke and seven against Loyola last weekend.
Findlay also brings a strong offense to floor, with freshman outside attacker C.J. Mecias, who ranks fourth in the nation and first in the MIVA for kills and points per game. Findlay's average hitting percentage overall is .307.
The strength of Ball State's offense will rest on setter Dave Carlson, who has been recovering from an injured back.
"If our offense is going to be better, it's going to be because Dave Carlson is getting healthier," Walton said.
Carlson will start against the Mastadons today, though he is still not completely recovered, Walton said.
"Our team's goal is to have two wins and show we're at the top of the pack," he said.
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
