For the 11th straight match, the Ball State University women's volleyball team came up short.
The Cardinals were competing in the Iowa Invitational this weekend and lost to the College of Charleston 3-0 (30-24, 30-15, 30-25), the University of Iowa 3-0 (30-23, 30-26, 30-28) and The University of Texas at Arlington 3-2 (30-18, 26-30, 23-30, 30-23, 15-13).
After defeating the University of Maine in the first match of the season Aug. 24, the Cardinals have failed to get their second win. However, coach Dave Boos said he liked what he saw this weekend.
"I was very encouraged by our performance this weekend," Boos said. "It was majorly improved from Tuesday. Probably the most we have played together this season. I'm excited for the conference going into this weekend."
The Iowa Invitational was the Cardinals' final tune up as they begin the Mid-American Conference portion of the schedule Thursday at Central Michigan University.
While the Cardinals lost, getting swept in two of the matches, they did take Texas-Arlington to five games. In that match, four Cardinals had double-digit kills, including a career high 20 from sophomore outside attacker Elaina Katatolis.
"I don't know if I was in the zone," Katatolis said. "I just knew it was our last game before conference starts, and we all seemed to be play a whole lot better."
Boos said he was impressed with her play and it was Katatolis' best match of the season. Katatolis said she really wanted to get the win in the match against Texas-Arlington.
"It's disappointing," Katatolis said. "We don't have the best record right now. And with going five games with that team, it would have been nice to get the win."
However, Boos said the team played well and thinks the match could help improve the team for MAC play.
"It was a great confidence builder," Boos said. "Obviously you want to win the match, but if we play that hard and well in the conference, we will do well."
The Invitational served as Boos' return to a Big Ten school. Boos coached in the Big Ten at both the University of Minnesota and Indiana University prior to coming to Muncie. Boos said he enjoyed being back in the Big Ten.
"It was fun," Boos said. "I knew the coaching staff at Iowa really well ... it was great to be back in the Big Ten, but I'm really looking forward for the MAC this weekend."
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