The Ball State University women's volleyball team won't have to do much research when scouting Eastern Michigan University -¡- the Cardinals' first-round opponent in its Mid-American Conference Tournament match at 7 p.m. in Worthen Arena.
The No. 7 seed Ball State is already 2-0 against the No. 10 seed Eagles this season with 3-1 wins Sept. 27 at home and Oct. 31 in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Despite the wins, coach Dave Boos remains confident yet weary of the Eagles' attempts to notch an upset victory.
"Obviously, we have a mental advantage by beating [Eastern Michigan] twice already," Boos said. "This is a team that we haven't exactly dominated this season - they've played some really tough sets and matches against us."
Freshman defensive specialist Christie Waters said with her team's unpredictable play, anything is possible.
She also said Ball State's 3-2 upset win against 2007 MAC Tournament Champion Miami University on Oct. 25 was an indicator of how well her team can play, but the team's 3-2 loss to the University of Toledo on Nov. 6 and the Cardinals' three losses since were definite indicators of needed improvement.
"I think anything can happen on any given night," said Waters, who is fourth on the team with 236 digs. "It only matters what team comes to play and is more consistent and ready to go that night. We just have to take it one match at a time and focus on what our first step is and what we have in front of us."
Junior opposite side attacker Elaina Kakatolis said her team is focused on the task at hand.
"It's tournament time and you never know what can happen," said Kakatolis, who is third on the team with 288 kills. "We'll just have to stay focused and concentrate on this match ahead of us and not worry about all the matches we could have in front of us [if Ball State wins tonight]."
Eastern Michigan (10-21, 4-12 MAC) defeated Toledo and Northern Illinois University early in the conference season but lost to the Rockets and the Huskies in more recent matchups.
The Eagles are led by junior libero Kim Jarzynka and junior outside hitter Victoria Randolph.
Jarzynka's 303 digs (4.89 digs per set, ranked third in the MAC) leads an Eastern Michigan defensive unit that is second in the MAC in digs, while Randolph is tops on the Eagles with 173 kills. Freshman middle blocker Emily Good's 0.91 blocks per set are also good enough for seventh in the conference.
"I think the thing we did really well in both matches against them was ball control," Boos said. "That's going to be the key against them again is to continue to play a high level of defense and have our offense be very aggressive."
One factor that could come into play in tonight's match is the status of Ball State sophomore outside hitter Hannah Sullivan.
Sullivan, who has started a majority of the season and is fourth on the team in kills (204) and sixth in digs (113), injured her ankle in a prematch practice before the Western Michigan University match Friday.
Boos said Monday that he is unsure of Sullivan's status for tonight's match, but has faith in his team if she is unable to play.
"We're hopeful for [tonight], but you just don't know," Boos said. "It's something that's a significant loss, but I know we have a team that can overcome it."
The winner of tonight's match will advance to Friday's quarterfinal match in Toledo, Ohio, against No. 2 seed and MAC East regular season champion Ohio University (20-7, 13-3 MAC), who received a bye through the opening round.
The Cardinals - who are hoping to win their first MAC Tournament Championship since 2002 - were swept 3-0 by the Bobcats on Oct. 18.
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