The saying goes 'All good things must come to an end.' For the Ball State University women's volleyball team it might read 'forget bad starts, let's try again.'
That's the philosophy the coaching staff is attempting to convey to their players after going 2-9 in the regular season.
"We're making a real commitment to start over," head coach Randy Litchfield said. "We are literally 0-0 now. We really need to take advantage of a new start."
For the Cardinals, Friday's Mid-American Conference opener against Miami University is the first test of the revamped game-plan.
"Miami is similar in style to Wright State," Litchfield said. "They are dominated by three players, two middles and an outside, and they run the backset offense about every chance they get."
If Litchfield's statement is true, the Cards already have a difficult task at hand as they were shut-out by Wright State 0-3 on Tuesday night. During the loss, tempers flared and penalties preceded a red card which was given to the Ball State bench and to Litchfield who was later ejected from the match.
"I was ejected and I'm not upset about it," Litchfield said. "I was sorry that it cost us a point that late in the game but we need to start fighting and that's what I was doing; I put up a fight that got me in trouble."
The Cardinals will be looking for that fight when they play Bowling Green State University (10-2). The Falcons have a six match winning streak in which they have only forfeited 3 games.
"Bowling Green is 0-0 in our book," Litchfield said. "They have a very crafty setter who crafts and throws the ball around and they usually use the off-speed shot, a soft shot, a lot. Bowling Green is a smarter, more soft-shot attacking team which has caused us problems."
The Cardinals go into the weekend with a healthy team. Christine Kennedy's ankle is 100 percent according to Litchfield.
The new season comes with a new approach.
"There's a players only meeting taking place tomorrow morning and I think that's just going to be an effort to rededication," Litchfield said. "We, as a coaching staff, have literally tried about everything possible and I think it's about time to put it more in player's hands. What happens in that morning meeting is confidential to the players only. It's sometimes tough for a team to act without their coaches but in this case I think it says a positive thing."
If the Cardinals want to have any chance of playing aggressively in the MAC or post-season tournaments, it must start now. The time the Cardinals are playing now is imperative for future success.
"It's their investment," Litchfield said.
The slate has been wiped clean, and it is a chance for the team to get back on track.
After two MAC matches, Ball State travels to Butler for a midweek non-conference matchup with the Bulldogs in Hinkle Fieldhouse. Then its back to business, as the Cardinals will host Toledo at Worthen on Friday night.
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
