It's been five weeks since the season started, but much has happened in the non-conference portion of Mid-American Conference women's volleyball schedules. MAC play begins Friday night at Worthen Arena for Ball State University against Northern Illinois University, and several conference teams have proven tough opponents through their non-conference performances.
Ball State was picked to finish second in the MAC West Division preseason poll and enters conference play in third after completing non-conference action with a 7-6 record.
The Cardinals claim home wins against IPFW and SIU-Edwardsville and collected four straight road wins including an Indiana State University Classic championship. The lone home loss in the non-conference schedule came at the hands of the University of Louisville in a four-set affair.
Despite injuries and an often times patchwork lineup, Ball State has found ways to win and is getting healthier. Junior libero Alyssa Rio and junior outside hitter Hannah Sullivan both hope to return to the lineup for the first time since the season opener sooner than later.
The University of Toledo sits a top of the MAC West Division with a 9-3 non-conference record. The Rockets and the Cardinals have had mixed results against common non-conference opponents this season.
Toledo won the Louisville Cardinal Classic championship, defeating Louisville on their home court in a five-set match, while Ball State hosted Louisville in the Active Ankle Challenge three weeks ago and lost the match in four sets.
That same weekend, Ball State defeated SIU-Edwardsville 3-1. Toledo enters its MAC play coming off a 3-2 defeat at the hands of that same SIU-Edwardsville team.
Western Michigan University, preseason MAC West favorites, holds an 8-7 non-conference record including a five-set road loss to IPFW. The Mastadons were swept by the Cardinals earlier this season. The Broncos quickly rebounded from the road loss to the Mastadons, however, defeating Indiana University in four sets in Bloomington and also beating the University of Cincinnati in four sets Monday.
Northern Illinois University sits at 6-7 after posting a 1-5 mark in road non-conference tournaments. Its most recent win came at home against DePaul University, 3-1, on Tuesday night, and they were picked to finish third in the MAC West behind Western Michigan and Ball State.
The entire MAC East Division holds a .500 record or better with the University at Buffalo leading the way with a 9-4 mark and wins against Boston College and St. John's University. One of Buffalo's losses came at the hands of national powerhouse and defending champions No. 1 Penn State University.
Ball State will play host to Northern Illinois at 6 p.m. Friday.
MAC-opening weekend
Friday vs. Northern IllinoisNorthern IllinoisRecord: 7-6 (t-4th, MAC West)Last season: 18-14 (9-7 MAC)2008 vs. BSU: 1-1Series history: 25-22 Northern Illinois
Saturday vs. Western MichiganRecord: 8-7 (2nd, MAC West)Last season: 28-7 (14-2 MAC); lost to eventual national champion Penn State in NCAA Tourney Sweet 162008 vs. BSU: 2-0Series history: 36-35 Ball State
In action:Who: Ball State women's volleyballWhat: match vs. Northern IllinoisWhen: Friday, 6 p.m.Where: Worthen ArenaListen live: 91.3 WCRD
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