With many students going home this weekend for fall break, a handful of Ball State sports teams will be on the road and at home. From Briner to Buffalo, here's what you can expect this weekend.
Women’s Volleyball
Ball State Women’s Volleyball (12-5, 3-1 MAC) will host Toledo (7-8, 2-2 MAC) on Thursday followed by a trip to Buffalo to face the Bulls (10-6, 2-2 MAC) on Saturday.
“Last weekend we put a big emphasis on defense,” head coach Kelli Miller said. “Each week we try to change up our focus and I think that helps us to stay fresh in all aspects of our game, as well as to continue to add on to the things we’re doing well while working on to make our weaknesses into strengths.”
Leading the Bulls is sophomore Andrea Mitrovic with 255 kills, who broke the all-time record for kills in a single match with 34 last week against Kent State. Toledo’s strength comes from the back row in senior libero Maurissa Leonard. In this season alone, Leonard has already grabbed 346 digs over 15 matches.
“Going on the road is always tough,” Miller said. “Long bus rides and intense environments can be exhausting. It’ll be nice to home for Toledo on Thursday, but we have to make that quick turnaround and be read to head to Buffalo for Saturday.”
With any comments contact Gabi Glass at grglass@bsu.edu or on Twitter @gabiglass.
Men’s Tennis
After three months of practice, Ball State Men’s tennis begins its fall 2018 season in West Lafayette for the Purdue Invitational.
For the Cardinals these practices have helped them get back in the groove of playing competitive tennis. Sophomore Alec Robillard has been working on his serving ability.
“I think in the past, Coach said that we have kind of lost a bit of speed on our serves,” Robillard said. “We’re just trying to get back to the groundwork of serving.”
After this weekend, the Cardinals will be playing every weekend in October. According to Richards, while this schedule may not favor the Cardinals, the team is planning on working as best as they can with it.
“I would rather have the schedule be spread out a little bit more,” head coach Bill Richards said. “But it’s out of my control and we’ll do the best we can with it.”
The Purdue Invitational will last Friday through Sunday with both singles and doubles matches in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Contact Patrick Murphy with any comments at prmurphy2@bsu.edu or on Twitter @PMURPH505.
Soccer
Ball State Soccer (5-3-2, 1-2-1 MAC) will be traveling to face Northern Illinois (1-11-0, MAC 0-4-0) at 3 p.m. on Thursday. The Cardinals will return home Sunday against Western Michigan (9-3, MAC 3-1). Kickoff time is 2 p.m.
The Huskies have lost their last five games, and have won just one game at home this season. The Cardinals lead the all-time series with the Huskies 10-6-5.
The Broncos started conference play winning three straight before falling in a 2-0 defeat against Bowling Green. Sophomore forward, Bailey Kohom and senior midfielder, Alyssa Burke lead the Broncos with four goals each. The Broncos average 15.2 shots a game. The Broncos are 6-1 at home, but 3-3 on the road this season.
“We haven’t played our best yet,” Head coach Roberts said. “We will be back at full strength.”
Freshman forward, Tatiana Mason leads the Cardinals in scoring with four goals. While senior midfielder, Paula Guerrero leads the Cardinals with three assists. Senior Goalkeeper, Tristan Stuteville and the Cardinals defense have kept three shutouts so far this season.
Contact Tyler Pence with any comments at tapence@bsu.edu or on Twitter @tylerpencee
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