Coach Joel Walton wouldn't classify Friday's conference-opener as a great win for the Ball State University men's volleyball team.
The Cardinals (4-4, 1-0 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) defeated Lewis University in four games, 30-25, 25-30, 30-25, 30-26.
"The reality is, we just beat a team that is third, fourth or fifth best in our conference," Walton said. "It's a good win at home, but it's not a great win. Great wins are when you beat one of the top three teams in your league at their place."
Ball State had a season-high 54 digs in the match and for the first time this season had two players with at least 10 digs in a match.
Outside attacker Todd Chamberlain had a career-high 15 digs and outside attacker Nick Meyer had a season-high 12 digs.
"It's a step in the right direction, but I still see some areas where we are going to be working to improve," Walton said. "There were some balls that our diggers were out of position on and we should have made some plays on."
Walton said he was disappointed with the play of libero Ian Pickler.
Pickler had averaged 1.75 digs per game, his second-lowest amount of the season, and had one dig in the first two games.
"We were coming out of the locker room and I started to get on Ian a little bit to make some more defensive plays," Walton said. "He finished with six [digs], but that's not what he is capable of doing."
In addition, Walton was upset with the play of freshman setter Jeff Schmitz.
Despite having a season-high 58 assists and nine digs, Walton said Schmitz was out of position.
"[Jeff] wasn't disciplined with our defensive system and in the right position in the backcourt, where we need him to be to make plays," Walton said. "We can correct that in practice, and I will be sure to get his attention this week."
In game one, Lewis (7-1, 2-1 MIVA) was up 11-5, before Ball State went on a 7-1 run to tie the game at 12-12.
In game four, the Cardinals trailed 6-1, and then scored four straight points after a Ball State time-out.
"We had a couple slow starts in game one and four, but we were able to overcome those, and I think that shows a lot of character," Meyer said.
Entering game four, outside attacker Mark Rumschik had no kills, but after coming off the bench in the final game, he had six kills.
Prior to the match against Lewis, Rumschik had seen limited action due to an ankle injury and was averaging less than one kill per game.
"In [game four], we were getting digs and perfect passing and things were starting to click," Rumschik said.
With this win, the Cardinals have now won their last three matches.
In addition, this was the first time since last season Ball State has defeated a Division I team. Prior to Friday's game, the Cardinals were 0-4 against Division I teams this season.
"We started off a little weak, but we have bounced back the last two weekends and shown that we are a good team and can play with anyone," Rumschik said.
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