Outside attacker Dominic Spadavecchio gave another reason why he should be a permanent starter Friday night in New Jersey.
In his third consecutive start, the outside attacker had a career night in the Ball State University men's volleyball team's four-game victory against Rutgers-Newark University.
"Dom did a great job," coach Joel Walton said. "He put up some good offensive numbers."
Playing at right outside attacker, Spadavecchio had a .219 attack percentage and led all players with a career-high 15 kills. The redshirt freshman also had 10 digs - one of three Cardinals to have at least 10 digs in the match.
Spadavecchio was successful because he had a favorable matchup against two of Rutgers' shorter blockers, Walton said. The coach also said Ball State (12-7, 4-3 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) entered the match wanting to run more of its offense toward those smaller blockers.
With his performance Friday, Walton said Spadavecchio will start in Ball State's road match against George Mason University at 7 p.m. Saturday.
This was the seventh match Spadavecchio started in this season, and he is averaging 2.10 kills per game - seventh best on the Cardinals. Spadavecchio replaced right outside attackers Marcus Imwalle and Eric Schulte in the starting lineup, who had a combined .108 attack percentage in two MIVA losses last week.
Ball State finished the match out-hitting Rutgers (8-8, 5-1 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) .291 to .206. The Cardinals also had more than a .350 attack percentage in games three and four.
"We were flat at times," Walton said. "We played two good games."
Along with Spadavecchio, Ball State had one player with more than nine kills.
Middle attacker J.D. Gasparovic had 12 kills, including five in the final game. He also had a .556 attack percentage to increase conference-best .507 attack percentage this season.
Walton said setter Ethan Pheister did a good job, especially late in the match, getting the middle attackers involved in the offense.
This was Ball State's 12th consecutive win against Rutgers. In addition, the Cardinals swept the Scarlet Knights in February at Worthen Arena.
Walton said he was happy with team's effort against Rutgers but did not think the team was playing at its best. The coach also said this type of performance will not be enough to win its next match against George Mason.
George Mason enters the match after defeating No. 14 Ohio State University in four games Friday. In addition, the Patriots swept the Cardinals earlier this season at Worthen Arena.
"We know we've got to play better against George Mason," Walton said.
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