The practice tests are done. All the preparation and studying has been completed. It's the real thing now. Winning is all that matters.
Posting a 7-6 record, the first winning mark since 2005 in nonconference action, the Ball State University women's volleyball team is ready for Mid-American Conference play. The first weekend of MAC action won't be easy as the deck has not been stacked in Ball State's favor. Northern Illinois University and Western Michigan University both charge into Worthen Arena with sights on the top of the West Division leader board.
"These two teams are significant rivals, especially in the West," coach Dave Boos said. "Last year we beat Northern in five at their place and they beat us in four here. It's two good teams playing tough against each other. There's nothing more fun to watch."
With only sporadic success in the nonconference portion of the schedule, Northern Illinois will want to prove something to the conference, and they have the firepower to do it. Boos said he was most concerned about their offensive attack.
"Northern has two outstanding and primary attackers. We have to be ready for them at all times," Boos said. "They have the ability to take over matches and that's something we certainly don't want."
Being at home for the first time in three weeks will be worth something to the Cardinals. After traveling to Indianapolis, Terre Haute and Maryland recently, the friendly confines of Worthen Arena is a welcomed sight.
"We're so happy to be back at home. It'll feel good having that support behind us," sophomore Kelsey Brandl said. "It also makes for a less hectic week for us, something we really appreciate after missing a lot of class time last week."
Being back in their beds at night is another positive to carry into the weekend. The Cardinals have gone a couple weeks sleeping in different beds and unfamiliar surroundings, but Boos is betting on the benefits of being back in a routine and in comfortable surroundings.
"We expect playing at home in front of the crowd, being here on campus, will be rejuvenating and provide us with bursts of energy," Boos said. "With Northern and Western coming in, we're excited. This is what we train so hard for every day."
Western Michigan, a Sweet 16 team a year ago, comes to Muncie Saturday and is getting healthy. Middle blocker Jaime Gotham returned from injury against the University of Cincinnati on Monday and will be a force in the middle if she is able to go.
"We're just not sure what kind of lineup they are going to go with," Boos said. "There's a number of lineups they can throw at us."
The same can be said for Ball State. Boos has utilized numerous lineups throughout the course of nonconference action due to libero Alyssia Rio and Hannah Sullivan being injured. Both have participated in practice this week for the first time since they sustained injuries at Purdue University in the season opener Aug. 28. Both Rio and Sullivan will be game day decisions, Boos said.
"We won't know more until Friday," he said. "They will both be evaluated and we will see. We could definitely use them since this weekend is going to be a big challenge, playing the teams picked to finish ahead and behind us in the preseason."
For sophomore Jennifer Boyd, it's been a very long offseason. The middle hitter, who is adjusting to playing on the outside as well in the middle, said she would like to beat the Broncos.
"After losing to them twice last year it's sort of a grudge match for us," Boyd said. "We really want to prove to them we've grown and everyone else that Ball State deserves to go to the NCAA Tournament."
Ball State plays at 7 p.m. Friday Worthen Arena against Northern Illinois. Western Michigan and Ball State will have their showdown on 7 p.m. Saturday.
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