Today's match against No. 6 Ohio State University won't affect the conference tournament seeding, but for coach Joel Walton it's an opportunity to send a message.
The No. 15 Ball State University men's volleyball team enters its final regular-season Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association match locked in fourth place.
Ohio State is in first place and clinched the MIVA regular season title along with home-court advantage throughout the conference tournament.
"A win is certainly something that can give our team a confidence booster and would be helpful to go into the conference tournament with," Walton said. "Also, it would put a seed of doubt in the back of Ohio State's mind that we can beat them."
Ball State will play Lewis University in a first-round game of the MIVA Tournament at Worthen Arena next Saturday. Ohio State has a first-round bye and could play the winner of the Ball State - Lewis match in the semifinals.
Walton said potentially playing the Buckeyes in less than two weeks means the Cardinals will not reveal everything Friday.
"There are things we are going to try against Ohio State, but we don't want to show them everything," Walton said. "A win here really doesn't earn us anything or gain our team anything because we are locked into the four seed."
The Buckeyes have won six of their last seven matches against the Cardinals, including sweeping Ball State in Muncie last season.
Friday will be the second time the teams have played this season, with the Buckeyes winning the first match in four games.
"We have to serve tough and run our offense smoothly," outside attacker Nick Meyer said. "We can't go out thinking we're going to roll over them out of the gym and wow them. They are a good team."
Walton said a big difference from the earlier match is that outside attacker Todd Chamberlain and setter Ethan Pheister will see playing time Friday.
During its first match, Chamberlain was serving a 30-day suspension and Pheister was on the bench as a backup to Jeff Schmitz.
Chamberlain returned from his suspension last week and started Wednesday against Lewis. Also against Lewis, Pheister replaced Schmitz after the second game.
With Pheister setting, the Cardinals' attack percentage increased more than .200 percent, and Ball State won in five games.
"We found our offensive rhythm with good passing, and our middles were getting on track," Walton said. "Ethan was able to get our left side the ball at a higher tempo and they were more aggressive."
Wednesday marked the second time Ball State won a match in five games when Pheister replaced Schmitz after game two. Pheister came off the bench to help beat No. 14 Pacific University in five games March 24.
Walton said he is unsure whether Pheister or Schmitz will start against Ohio State but didn't rule out Pheister coming off the bench if he doesn't start.
"There is a good chance he will see a lot of time on the court Friday," Walton said. "What bodes well for Ethan is we know he can come off the bench and into a match and impact a game greatly."
Schmitz has started 23 matches and has a team-high 11.15 assists per game. Pheister started the first three matches of the season and has come off the bench to play in 12 matches.
Meyer said both setters have done well this season, especially considering they are freshman adjusting to the college game and schedule.
"This is the longest season they have had and it's tough for them to go through," Meyer said. "Right now Ethan's a little more fresh because Jeff has been playing some much."
Ball State is 2-9 against nationally ranked teams and 1-4 against MIVA schools in those matches.
"Ohio State has done a good job in the regular season, yet I'm looking forward to this match," Walton said. "This is a match we can win and we can go out and are capable of pulling another great home upset."
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
