The No. 10 Ball State University men's volleyball team (6-0) remained undefeated after a successful weekend of matches on back-to-back nights against Division III Springfield College (3-0). The Cardinals defeated the Pride 3-0 (30-21, 30-18, 30-26) on Friday night and again on Saturday (30-20, 30-13, 31-29), returning to their sweeping ways once again.
The Cardinals finished their non-conference schedule with a perfect 6-0 record while the Pride fell to 3-2.-á
Friday evening the Cardinals started freshman players because coach Joel Walton felt it would have been a Ball State blowout with the routine line up. Instead, the Pride took advantage of the situation by taking an early 6-3 lead.-áThe Cardinals were sparked by a Todd Chamberlain kill and eventually took the lead for good at 15-14.-á The Cardinals retained their composure and won the game 30-21 with a block by Dave Carlson.
"Chamberlain put up some pretty impressive numbers," Walton said. With a career-high 10 kills, five digs, and two service aces, Chamberlain helped pace the win. "That's a pretty good line for a freshman," Walton said. "And he only played two games."
Game two stared with the Cardinals opening up a 5-0 lead before the Pride scored a point.-áThe closest Springfield got after that was three points down at 6-3.-á
"I was pleased with the job we did in game two," Walton said. "I felt like we really found our rhythm, and the guys were playing well. It was defense transitioning into a really great offense."
Ball State finished game two 30-18 with the punctuation being a kill by Chamberlain.-á Game three was more competitive but never out of the Cardinals' reach as they won 30-26.-á -á
"We hadn't been playing so well last week," Chamberlain said. "We just wanted to come out, play hard and get a good win.-áYou've got to bring a spark to the game, and try to get everybody's energy going and playing hard."
Another freshman who saw his first playing time of the year was Ryan Clarke.-áClarke had been recovering from a knee injury, but came to play and helped the team seal the victory.-á-á
"I'm not going to lie," Clarke said.-á "I was a little nervous but it's good to be back. I've been out with a knee injury since the beginning of the season and it was good to get the first game under my belt."
Saturday night the Pride started a little more aggressively with the hopes of stealing a game.-áThe Cardinals never slowed, though, and won the first two games in commanding fashion 30-20 and 30-13. Game three was a final stand by the Pride as they kept with the Cardinals and at times held the lead.-á
"They are a very good team," Walton said. "Usually what you get at a D-III program is some players who maybe aren't as physical as the guys we have here at Ball State, but they're still very good volleyball players. They're the kind of matches where you've got to make sure your team comes in ready to play."
And play they did as the Cardinals held off the Pride in a tough game-three victory, 31-29. Ball State has improved in their offense and blocking, and will now start the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association conference schedule.-á
"We're coming along," Walton said.-á
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