Enough is enough. After riding a season-high three-game losing streak and having a rough match last Saturday, there seemed to be a unanimous but unspoken agreement among the Ball State University women's volleyball team. Their determination to break this trend led to an intense couple of days of practice this week, and that attitude from practice continues as the team travels tonight for a match at the University of Toledo.
"After the bad weekend performance there have been several players who have stepped up and have had the attitude of never again will that happen," coach Dave Boos said. "That's encouraging to see that we've reached that point and we've had growth."
Sophomore setter Brittany McGinnis said the timing of the Toledo match couldn't have been better for the Cardinals (8-9, 1-3 Mid-American Conference). Last season, Toledo (10-6, 1-3 MAC) snapped their epic 42-game losing streak to Ball State, and she said now it's anybody's game.
"We always look forward to Toledo because of the history," McGinnis said. "It's going to be tough playing on the road. We're determined after last year. We're coming into this one with a chip on our shoulder and a lot to prove."
History is certainly in Ball State's favor if the Rockets hope to win tonight. Toledo has only won back-to-back matches once in the history of the teams' matchups, both coming in the 1983 season.
"I think the fact there are no win streaks right now between the two teams will be a big motivating factor in the match," Boos said. "That will add to the intensity of the match."
Sophomore defensive specialist Kaylee Schembra said that Ball State also has a lot to prove in the MAC after dropping two games last week - even after winning the first sets of each match.
"After a bad weekend like that we're looking forward to Toledo," Schembra said. "It's a chance to reprove ourselves. Everyone really wants and needs this win."
Having dropped three conference tilts early in the season, the Cardinals realize there is no time to waste to get back into the fray and attempt to close the gap on MAC West Division-leading Western Michigan University, who is currently 4-0 in MAC play.
"There are no change in our goals," Boos said. "It's only a bad weekend that we have to recover from. We need to regain confidence because we had a dent put in our confidence."
McGinnis said making proper adjustments from team to team is important in MAC play.
"Every game is important from here on out," McGinnis said. "Everyone has a little different style of play so we have to be ready for the differences."
Boos said several aspects have been worked on this week in practice in preparation not only for Toledo, but for a push to return to the top of the MAC standings. Among the points of emphasis has been limiting free balls that allow the opponent to go on the offensive, getting a "killer" mentality back and learning how to finish opponents off, Boos said.
"The mentality part of the game is our biggest challenge right now," he said. "We have all the physical skill and ability, but we don't have the mentality yet. Finishing off opponents hasn't been a strength for us, but it will have to become a strength if we're going to do this."
In actionBall State at Toledo7 p.m. at John F. Savage Arena
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