The Ball State men's volleyball team will look to overcome a three-match losing streak on a three-game weekend road trip.
The Cardinals (3-3, 0-1 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) face No. 4 Brigham Young (6-3) tonight at the Springfield (Mass.) College as part of the Volleyball Hall of Fame-Morgan Classic. The Cards will then play either No. 6 Penn State (5-2) or Springfield on Saturday night.
Although BYU is the defending national champion, the team graduated five seniors last year.
"The team we're going to play isn't the same one we played last year," head coach Joel Walton said.
Walton said the team will have to look out for Cougars outside attacker Victor Batista.
"He's a relatively slender player who jumps extremely well," Walton said. "He's going to be someone our team has to stay focused on."
Improved setting should help the team take on the Cougars. Setter Dave Carlson struggled in the losses to Penn State and George Mason.
Walton said he has since made gains on staying consistent with his setting and creating a rhythm with the attackers.
If the Cards beat BYU and Penn State wins its match against Springfield College, BSU will have a chance to avenge its loss to the Lions two weeks ago.
"Our guys will need to be aggressive the entire match," Walton said.
Part of winning against Penn State will focusing on outside hitter Alex Gutor.
"In our gym ... he was able to step up and play with a level of confidence our guys weren't able to match," Walton said. "It really comes down to making just a few more plays against them."
If the Cards lose, they will play the loser of the Penn State/Springfield match.
BSU will head to Div. III Rutgers (2-2) Sunday afternoon to end the road trip.
Walton said he anticipates having a more balanced offense than Rutgers.
"They tend to lean on their middle attacker and one or two offside attackers for their entire offense," he said.
Despite having a busy weekend, the Cards have chance to make a statement.
"This team has the ability to be a very competitive team," Walton said. "It's a really big opportunity for our guys to come out and grab some attention."
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