Ball State stat leaders:
Kills: Brendan Surane, Matt Szews & Matt Walsh - 10
Assists: Connor Gross - 37
Service Aces: Matt Szews & Matt Walsh - 2
Digs: Nick Lavanchy - 9
Total Blocks: Matt Walsh - 7
No. 12 Ball State men's volleyball won three straight sets after dropping the first to beat Lindenwood Friday.
The Cardinals (12-4, 4-3 MIVA) got their fourth road win of the season and second road conference win by defeating winless Lindenwood 3-1 (21-25, 25-18, 25-21, 27-25).
Runs of 7-0 and 5-0 helped Ball State to gain momentum in the second and third sets after falling behind early. The Cardinals had a tough battle in the final set, but finished the match on a 3-0 run that included two kills from junior middle attacker Matt Walsh.
"Any time you go on point-scoring runs like that, it's not only fueling your team but it's demoralizing to whoever you're doing that to," head coach Joel Walton said.
The Cardinals also had a strong defensive presence and held Lindenwood to a .209 attack percentage and forced 27 attack errors.
"We had moments where we played good defense and that's important, especially when you're playing a team in their gym," Walton said. "If you can make them uncomfortable, that's critical to to coming out with a win."
Ball State used a balanced attack on offense to help snap its two-game losing streak. Walsh, senior outside attacker Brendan Surane and freshman outside attacker Matt Szews each finished the match with 10 kills. The Cardinals finished the night with an attack percentage of .272.
Walton, however, said the offense still needs to be more consistent in order for the Cardinals to have more success.
"Our outside attackers want to have a big toolbox and have different options that they can go to and not be limited because it becomes so much harder to slow down," Walton said. "I would like to see our offense be a little more consistent from start to finish of a match."
Ball State will play their fifth consecutive road match at 8 p.m. Saturday against Quincy (3-10, 1-6 MIVA).
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