UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After building an 11-match winning streak in almost two months, it took less than 95 minutes Saturday for that streak to come to an end.
In a performance coach Joel Walton described as lackluster, No. 1 Penn State University swept the No. 7 Ball State University men's volleyball team 30-26, 30-22, 30-17 at University Park, Pa.
"It's not like I can point to any one guy on our team and say that guy played great," Walton said. "I think all of our guys need to work on their play."
Offensively, Penn State out-hit Ball State .483 to .146, including a .571 attack percentage and two attack errors in game two. In addition, Nittany Lion outside attacker Matt Anderson, who Walton said after the match should be first-team All-American, had a match-high 15 kills.
Entering the match, Penn State led the nation in team attack percentage, and Anderson was first in the country, averaging almost six kills per game.
Walton said the entire team was disappointed with the way the winning streak ended because they did not play to their capabilities. He also said good teams should not have to lose to learn the lessons they experienced Saturday.
"Our practices weren't very good this week, and if this loss helps us get back in the gym and do a better job of practicing more focused, then that can be one positive aspect," Walton said. "Really good teams understand when they are not competing at a high level, and they can adjust those things without getting a loss."
Outside attacker Todd Chamberlain said one adjustment the Cardinals could not make throughout the match was handling the Nittany Lions' serves. As a result, Ball State's offense was ineffective, he said.
Saturday was the fourth time this season the Cardinals did not have a player finish with at least 10 kills.
Chamberlain finished the match tied for a team-high nine kills, and outside attacker Patrick Durbin had eight kills, his second-lowest amount since the winning streak started Feb. 8.
"They are definitely the best team we've played all year," Chamberlain said. "They are well-deserving of the No. 1 ranking."
Following Saturday's match, Ball State swept St. Francis University on Sunday with the Cardinals having a .262 attack percentage.
Outside attacker Marcus Imwalle said he was happy with the Ball State's performance against St. Francis compared to the Penn State match.
"I don't know if we came out tentative [Saturday] or if it was something else," Imwalle said. "We played significantly better [Sunday]."
Ball State was one of six teams ranked in the nation's top 10 to lose this weekend.
Along with Ball State, No. 10 Ohio State University lost to Penn State on Friday. Also, No. 3 Long Beach State, No. 6 Stanford University, No. 8 UCLA and No. 9 University of California at San Diego lost matches.
Walton said there is a possibility the Cardinals could move up in the coaches poll. However, he said he is not sure how he will vote in Monday's poll, let alone the other voting coaches.
"It's a complex equation, and if I were to look to look into my crystal ball, I can't even guess," he said.
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