Potentially one match away from setting a school record, senior libero Ian Peckler said breaking the record is the last thing on his mind.
Eleven digs shy of the all-time career record and playing in what could be his final collegiate match, Peckler and the No. 10 Ball State University men's volleyball team will play its conference tournament semifinal match against No. 14 Lewis University at 5 p.m. in Columbus, Ohio.
"I try not to think about it," Peckler said. "It's something I didn't even know until a few weeks ago, and my parents are giving me garbage about."
With 1,036 digs Peckler became the second player in Ball State history to have more than 1,000 career digs on April 10, and trails former outside attacker Chris Beerman for the all-time record. In addition, Peckler, a first-team All-Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association selection, has a career-high 286 digs this season and is fourth in the nation, averaging 3.04 digs per game.
Coach Joel Walton said if the Cardinals are able to make good serves against the Flyers, Peckler should break the record Thursday. He also said Peckler's chance to break the record was benefited from the NCAA switching to rally scoring and introducing the libero position in 2001.
"It's kudos to him for having a great career," Walton said. "We knew when we changed the rules that there would be certain records broken."
Peckler said throughout his four-year college career he never thought about breaking the all-time time digs record. In addition, he said he is proud of his accomplishments at Ball State and wants to end his career as a conference tournament champion, a feat the Cardinals have not achieved since 2002.
"I haven't been to the NCAA Final Four and that's something I would like to accomplish," he said.
Digs against LewisIn the last two season Ball State is 5-0 against Lewis, with Ian Peckler averaging 2.86 digs per game.April 12: 13 digs, win in four gamesJan. 25: 12 digs, win in five games2007: nine digs, win in three games2007: 10 digs, win in five games2007: 6 digs, win in four games Career dig leaders1. Chris Beerman, 1,047, 1987-1990 2. Ian Peckler, 1,036, 2005-Present 3. Chris Cooper, 922, 1987-1990 4. Rodney Morgan, 867, 1988-1991 5. Eduardo Ferraz, 856, 1994-1997
Digs per game1. Ian Peckler, 2.66, 2005-Present 2. Chris Beerman, 2.52, 1987-1990 3. Joel Walton, 2.20, 1985-1988 4. Rodney Morgan, 2.18, 1988-1991
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