When coach Joel Walton arrived to Monday's practice at Worthen Arena he knew a focus of the morning's workout would be his right outside attackers.
After the week Marcus Imwalle and Eric Schulte had, though, their confidence level was Walton's biggest concern.
Splitting time at the right outside attacker position, Imwalle and Schulte had a combined .108 attack percentage in the Ball State University men's volleyball team's three conference losses last week. In addition, both players were benched in a loss against Loyola University on Saturday that dropped Ball State to third place in the conference.
"I feel like our answer is getting Marcus and Eric back on track," Walton said. "Once we bring those guys around and get them confidence, they are both capable in that position. We just need to get them believing in themselves again."
The two players' first chance to regain that confidence will be tonight as Ball State plays Carthage College at 7:30 p.m. in Worthen Arena.
Following last week, Imwalle said he is excited to get back on the court tonight. He also said it's an important match for him against a Division III team.
"I just need to get my game back," Imwalle said. "After the past couple of matches it's been frustrating for me."
As a freshman last season Imwalle was second on the team with 2.99 kills per game average. This season though, he is averaging 2.47 kills per game, including six kills in a five-game loss to No. 10 Lewis University on Friday.
Imwalle and Schulte also have the lowest attack percentage of all Ball State players who have started at least five matches.
Setter Ethan Pheister said part trouble at the right outside attacker position is one of the reason for Ball State's recent struggles on offense.
In their last two matches, the Cardinals were out-hit and finished the match hitting below their .298 attack percentage season average.
"We need to focus to get right side going," Pheister said. "It would be nice to have someone step up and play well on the right side consistently."
This will be Ball State's seventh match in the last 12 days - the most matches it has played in that time span since the 1997 season. It will also be the Cardinals first home match after playing six road matches during the last two weeks.
Imwalle said the recent schedule has led to some of the team's offensive problems because of its limited practice time. He also said he hoped Monday's practice would give the team enough time to make adjustments.
"We haven't had that much time to work on it," Imwalle said. "Hopefully we can work on it this week before we hit some of those key matches at the end of the season."
Ball State has three matches this week with road matches at George Mason University and Rutgers-Newark University during the weekend. This will also be the second time the Cardinals have played these teams this season.
In its previous match against Carthage, Imwalle and Schulte combined for eight kills and a .500 attack percentage as Ball State swept in February.
Walton said it will be a game-time decision to start Imwalle or Schulte at right outside attacker. The coach also said after losing three MIVA matches and most likely its chance at winning the regular season titles, a non-conference win tonight would be the best thing for the entire team's confidence.
"We're still healing from this point," Walton said. "There is no better therapy than playing well and a good win."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
