With setter Dave Carlson's return from a back injury, Ball State has won its past two matches, and three of the last four after falling into a drought.
The Cardinals (8-7 overall, 3-3 Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) hope to build a longer winning streak when they play host to a rematch with MIVA rival Clarke at 7:30 p.m. tonight. The Cardinals won the first meeting on Feb. 18, 3-1. Coach Joel Walton said the Crusaders like to attack on the left side and middle. As a result, he said the team will focus on stopping the left side and will break down Clarke's tendencies with video from the previous game.
Walton said Carlson has been a big reason why the Cardinals have started to turn things around after falling into a four-match drought and losing six of eight.
"If you've ever had back problems, you know there's just not a whole lot of things you can do," Walton said. "You're pretty immobilized. Dave's back has started to feel better. We're starting to see him move to the ball better, be more aggressive on the court, and even portray himself on the court more aggressively."
Against IPFW on Friday, Carlson dished out 58 assists in a 3-1 victory, and he had 37 assists on Sunday against Findlay.
Nick Meyer led the way against IPFW with a career-high 28 kills.
He finished with a .282 attack percentage, seven digs, four block assists, and a .353 hitting percentage. On Sunday, he had 11 kills to surpass the 200-kill mark for the second season in a row with 201. He also had six digs and four block assists, finishing with a .176 hitting percentage. For his performance, Meyer was named MIVA Player of the Week.
"That's a great honor," Walton said. "It's something that he earned with his play, and yet it's an honor that he wouldn't receive if our team wasn't playing well around him."
Ball State finished with a .295 attacking percentage as a team against IPFW, including 71 kills. The Cardinal's attack percentage fell two nights later to .235, including 47 kills.
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
