Outside attacker Patrick Durbin said he and the two other seniors have waited a long time for Saturday's home match, especially because it's against a nationally ranked team.
Durbin, middle attacker Justin Orr and libero Ian Peckler will be honored following the No. 7 Ball State University men's volleyball team's senior-night match against No. 12 George Mason University. It is the second time in the last five seasons the Cardinals have played a top-15 ranked team on senior night.
"My freshman year for the senior night they scheduled probably the worst team in the nation and those guys were really mad," Durbin said. "Seeing the way those guys reacted to it and knowing now that we have the No. 12 team in the nation to play, I enjoy it. It gives us something a little bit more to focus about instead of coming in and jacking around."
Durbin and Peckler are fifth-year seniors for the Cardinals. Durbin is second in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association averaging 4.12 kills per game. Peckler, a 2007 second-team All-American, is fifth in the nation averaging 2.85 digs per game and has the second most digs in school history during the rally-scoring era.
Peckler hasn't thought about senior night, but he is looking forward to the match against George Mason, he said.
Coach Joel Walton said he doesn't have a preference to playing a ranked or non-ranked team on senior night. He also said he is proud of the job Durbin and Peckler have done since joining the Cardinals in 2004.
"They have worked very hard to become the leaders that they have been for our team this year," Walton said. "I'm really proud of both of them."
Orr is in his second season with the Cardinals after transferring from the University of Missouri in 2006.
Orr said playing a nationally ranked team on senior night is good because of the increased intensity the underclassmen usually have for the match.
"That will bring a lot more fire to it all," he said. "It is the seniors' big last send off and you want to do everything in your power to win."
Orr started three matches this season and the last time he played was March 22 against Quincy University.
Walton said he would play Orr during the weekend, however, he was unsure about the amount playing time. He also said Orr is a great player, but it has been difficult to find the right position for him because he is in between a middle attacker and outside attacker.
Orr said despite not getting a lot of playing time, he has enjoyed being at Ball State and the team's success this year.
"I haven't been seeing the most playing time, but I don't look at that as a deterrent," he said. "Whatever team is in there getting the job done, I am more happy to be pushing those guys in practice and cheering from the sidelines."
All three seniors said they do not know what to expect from senior night but appreciate the opportunity to be honored.
"It is going to be an emotional night," Orr said. "It will definitely be a chance to thank everyone, all the parents and fans, for the support they have given us, and Joel for everything he's done."
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