Following the 3-1 loss to IPFW that included 15 straight points - virtually unseen in rally scoring - the members of Ball State's women's volleyball team each reflected on their mistakes in the loss. Sophomore setter Angie Parrell would like to see that change."I think we need to start sticking together as a team more when it comes to big matches and big losses," she said. "We tend to separate ourselves and focus on our own mistakes and our own errors and the things we do right. And we start to lose that team aspect: what volleyball is all about. I mean, it's the biggest team sport of them all."Coach Randy Litchfield, looking back at the IPFW game, said he didn't feel as if his team was outplayed."I felt like in many, many ways we started out well enough to win the match," Litchfield said.Despite a horrible first game where the Cardinals had a negative hitting percentage, the Cardinals and the Mastadons were equal in most statistical categories before the run.Litchfield does see the problems with his team as repairable."There is always a fine line in this sport,," he said. "Especially between being real good and being real bad. I feel like we're just teetering on the wrong side of that line."As the Cardinals (6-4) open their Mid-American Conference season on Friday in Worthen Arena against Miami, they will be thinking more about themselves and less about their opponents, Miami (7-4) and Bowling Green (6-5)."We need to focus on what's happening on our side of the court first," Parrell said. "And then we can get over to what we have to do against other teams."It wasn't until after practice on Thursday that Litchfield began to analyze Miami, their opponents today."The beauty of league play is you know a fair amount going in 'cause you play each other so often," he said. "Miami has a couple of new elements. We'll have to focus on them a little bit. But, in that way, in league play you have a bit of a leg up."The four home matches will also allow the Cardinals additional time to address what may be their biggest issue entering MAC play: playing on the road.None of Ball State's wins have come against a team in it's home gym, only in Worthen Arena and on neutral courts.Ball State's first four MAC matches will be in Muncie, giving the Cardinals nearly three weeks to work on those issues."The emerging question mark on this team is how it competes on the road in a difficult environment," Litchfield said. "It's a bit of a relief to be at home."
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
