The disappointing performance Saturday at Worthen Arena against Western Michigan University should have been all the motivation Ball State University needed against Central Michigan University on Friday night, yet what started as a dominating performance turned into an all-out war.
In their first match since the loss, the Cardinals came out furious at the Rose Center. They jumped on top of Central Michigan and ruled the court. The domination ended in an impressive 25-9 first set destruction of the Chippewas.
"We started off energized and ready to play," coach Dave Boos said. "We made almost every play that we could make and that says something about your ability to play on a high level. Doing that in someone's house like Central Michigan, who always plays well at home."
The rest of the match was an entirely different story for Ball State however. After leading early in the second frame, Central Michigan rallied and took the lead. In a tight spot, the Cardinals dug deep and pulled out a slim 27-25 victory.
"The story for the rest of the night was not making plays we needed to make to win. We were on the doorstep in sets two, three and four to finish them off but weren't able to make it happen," Boos said. "I'm disappointed for our kids that they play so hard and come so close and not making it happen."
Intermission was the best thing that could happen to Central Michigan. After talking things over, the Chippewas were able to counteract the Cardinals in the third set. The result was a firm grasp of control and a 25-21 victory to force a fourth set.
By the end of the night, a dominating performance had turned into a power struggle. Both teams were deadlocked in the battle, trading points like prizefighters in the final moments of the final round.
Each team took turns holding the advantage with Ball State pulling ahead 23-22 on an Alisha Green kill. Central Michigan refused to give up, however, and pulled out the next three points to force Ball State to its first five-set match of the season by taking the set 25-23.
"We have to learn how to win all the time. We have talent and desire to, just haven't gotten through the door yet," Boos said.
The fifth and final set, which is played to 15, determines the winner in women's volleyball. Last season, Ball State lost an NCAA-leading seven five-set matches. Losing the fifth set was the doom for Ball State again, falling 15-12 after an unsuccessful rally attempt.
Junior outside hitter Hannah Sullivan, who had missed action in the last 14 matches due to a back injury, returned to the lineup in the fifth set registering two digs in her return.
"Hannah didn't have much of an opportunity to play for us tonight, but she played just fine," Boos said. "We put her in off the bench for Julie in the back row after sitting there cold for two hours. It was good just to get her out there and back into it."
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