Homecoming festivities will play second fiddle this weekend for coach Dave Boos and the Ball State University women's volleyball team.
Coming off a satisfying 3-0 sweep of George Mason University in its last match Saturday, Boos is eager to play host to Central Michigan University tonight and Eastern Michigan University on Saturday in the Cardinals' Mid-American Conference opening matches at Worthen Arena.
Ball State has a 4-10 non-conference record heading into tonight's match against the Chippewas.
"I think it's a really good start for us this year, and it's the exact same teams we played last year in the same order," Boos said. "I think being at home is a nice advantage for us, too, to have a chance to find our comfort zone before having to hit the road next week."
The Cardinals are 0-4 this season in home matches; however, history is on Ball State's side when it comes to playing conference matches in Worthen Arena.
Since the arena's was built in 1992, Ball State has a 134-19 record all-time in home MAC matches.
Boos said he hopes the Homecoming crowds will see an improved Cardinal squad from the team's last match at home - a 3-0 loss to IUPUI on Sept. 9.
"I think it's significant - not just for our alumni, but for our fans - because last time we were here, we didn't play a very good match against IUPUI," Boos said. "I think that we have to show that we are a team that people want to come watch play. I think we have a team that's exciting to watch, that's growing every day and a team that the university can be proud of."
Sophomore defensive specialist Alyssa Rio, who leads the Cardinals with 214 digs and a 4.04 digs-per-set average, said she hopes the MAC schedule provides a "fresh start" for her team.
"Obviously, we wanted to get a few more wins in the preseason," Rio said. "But one or two wins this weekend will be important for us - it will give us more to be excited about for the MAC season."
Central Michigan (6-5) is coming off one of its more successful seasons in recent school history in 2007 by finishing with a 22-10 (10-6 MAC) overall record.
The Chippewas were picked to finish second in the MAC West preseason polls - one spot ahead of Ball State.
Boos said Central Michigan is a "very veteran team."
"It's going to be key for us to serve the ball well enough to put [Central Michigan] in bad situations," Boos said. "We know they are going to be physical and a blocking team, as well as a good serving team, so they have a lot of things going for them - but I think that our experience so far is going to prepare us for what we have to do [tonight]."
Central Michigan is led by two-time second team All-MAC selection Whitney Evers. The senior middle blocker leads the Chippewas with 136 kills [.338 attack percentage] and is second on the team with 32 blocks and 13 service aces.
Anchoring the defense for Central Michigan is junior libero Alexis Lonneman. Lonneman, who last season broke the MAC record and is third all-time in the NCAA with 42 digs in a three-set match. She has a team-best 173 digs this season.
Rio said she expects a busy night defensively from the Chippewas.
"Central Michigan has some pretty strong hitters, and I think that our block and our defense will be important for the match," she said.
Tonight's match begins at 7 p.m.
Opening nightTonight's MAC opener against Central Michigan at Worthen arena is also the Cardinals' "Beach Volleyball Night" promotion.
- Fans are encouraged to wear Hawaiian or beach attire to the match, and the first 300 fans will receive a free Hawaiian lei, according to ballstatesports.com.
- Players will also hold a free autograph session after tonight's match.
- The last time Ball State played Central Michigan was on Oct. 26. Central Michigan won the match 3-0.
- Ball State leads Central Michigan in the all-time record by 8 games. Ball State has won 33 matches to Central Michigan's 25.
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