The women's volleyball team showed what Ball State University sports are all about over the weekend: The teams don't always win, and it's not always pretty, but the players always work hard. There's always something to be proud of when Ball State players walk off the court or field.
It's been three years since the women's volleyball program claimed a Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship, and a decade since its four-year streak of tournament titles. Although the team didn't quite bring home the title this year, it came close, and a number of smaller-scale victories were necessary to reach even the runner-up position.
Not the least of the team's struggles this year was the four-game suspensions of three top-performing seniors for suspected textbook policy violations. Later, it was determined that two of the players were not violators and should not have been suspended in the first place. Although coach Randy Litchfield said they were just "victims of circumstance," the team certainly suffered setbacks due to those circumstances.
Despite the pitfalls and troubles, though, the team has a solid season of play to look back on. Great performances were made by stars and record setters, like Sarah Obras, as well as consistently impressive players, like Kelly Cochran. Still, in the end, every winning score is the result of team effort and a refusal to give up.
In general, Ball State sports aren't nationally acclaimed or appreciated. However, the 2005 women's volleyball and soccer teams finished with impressive regular seasons, even if they were both unable to secure championship titles. Football, as well, has put up some good fights and earned a few good wins this season, despite the incapacitating suspensions due to textbook violations.
Plus, as always with collegiate athletics, fans never go too long without a new season and a new set of teams to watch as they succeed, fail and try their hardest. Basketball fever has already begun to set in.
But throughout Fall Semester, multiple athletics programs showed that even though Ball State sports teams might not be the best in the MAC, they consistently go up for the kill, run for the touchdown, kick for the goal and aim for the win.
And that's something for which all Cardinals can be proud.
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