It didn't take coach Joel Walton long to put outside attacker Todd Chamberlain back into the starting line.
Walton said Chamberlain will start at left outside attacker when the No. 15 Ball State University men's volleyball team plays Lewis University 7 p.m. tonight in Romeoville, Ill.
"We're trying to get more left side offense and Todd is capable of giving us that," Walton said. "Todd is also a good blocker and with him and Mark [Rumschik] they could disturb Lewis' offense."
Chamberlain hasn't started a match since March 3 because of a 30-day suspension.
Chamberlain's suspension ended last week, and he came off the bench in losses against No. 11 Loyola University-Chicago and No. 9 IPFW.
Playing in five games, Chamberlain had three kills. Prior to the suspension, he was second on the team, averaging 3.69 kills per game.
Walton said Chamberlain struggled last week because the suspension didn't allow him to practice with the team for nearly a month.
"We tried to get him out there and give him a chance on court," Walton said. "It had to be hard for him and it was a trial by fire for Todd, coming in those two matches cold and having no reps with the team for over 30 days."
Ball State (14-11, 6-4 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) enters tonight's match in fourth place for the conference. The Cardinals can clinch the No. 4 seed and the right to play a first-round home match in the MIVA Tournament with a win.
Lewis (17-11, 5-6 MIVA) is fifth in the conference. If the season ended today, Ball State would be matched up against Lewis in a home playoff match in the first round.
Walton said his team is capable of winning on the road, but wants to play a MIVA Tournament first-round match in Muncie.
"The biggest thing is if we are going to be playing on the road," Walton said. "You always want to be at home with the crowd behind you and able to keep your daily match routine and not have to travel."
Ball State has lost its last two matches and its last five road matches. This season the Cardinals are 5-8 on the road.
Including tonight, the Cardinals have two matches remaining in conference play. After the Lewis match, Ball State plays first-place No. 6 Ohio State University Friday.
Walton said despite playing the first-place Buckeyes in its next match, the team can't overlook Lewis.
"Looking ahead at Lewis would be a big mistake," Walton said. "Lewis is showing they can be a good team at home. They haven't gotten that big win yet but are capable of playing with the top MIVA teams."
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