After winning at Worthen Arena against the University at Buffalo Tuesday night, the Ball State University women's volleyball team advances to the quarterfinal round of the Mid-American Conference tournament today. The game starts at 1:30 p.m. when the team travels to Toledo, Ohio, to play third-ranked Bowling Green University.
When Ball State went up against Bowling Green earlier in the season, the Cardinals were swept in a three game match, 30-22, 30-18, 30-19.
Coach Randy Litchfield commented after the game Tuesday that the defense would need to improve if the Cardinals wanted to have a chance of getting past the Falcons. He also said that the team had 18 serving errors in the game versus Buffalo because of the new MAC tournament volleyball.
"We just worked for about an hour and half," Litchfield said. "[We practiced] entirely defense, and a little serving with the new MAC tournament ball. The new MAC tournament ball is different. They fly a little bit different."
Julie Breivogel said that she was not completely satisfied with her defensive performance against the Bulls, despite her 19 kills.
"I was a little bit disappointed in my defense," Breivogel said. "Some of my blocking was a little off. On a scale from one to 10 I'd say [against Buffalo I was] a six"
The team consensus for the tournament is that none of the players want to lose any more games because they want the seniors to end their careers on a high note. Litchfield agrees that winning for the seniors is defiantly positive motivation.
"[The seniors'] careers now can be measured in days, and it provides a sense of desperation," Litchfield said.
Brittany May said that she does not want to have her last game with the seniors yet because she loves playing with them. A junior, May also realizes it will be her turn next year to fill the leadership role on the team.
"Amanda is such a great leader." May said. "[Replacing her as a leader is] going to be hard,"
Thursday was the last practice the Cardinals will have at home to prepare for Bowling Green. They spent most of the practice scouting the Falcons.
"We are going to go and isolate Bowling Green a little closer," Litchfield said.
The MAC tournament is single elimination, meaning if the Cardinals are not victorious against Bowling Green their season will be over. The last time Ball State won the MAC and had an NCAA appearance was in 2002.
"We are going to get down to business," Litchfield said.
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