FOOTBALL: Orsbon ready to block for Cards' running backs

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Rio named MAC Defensive Player of the Week

Junior libero Alyssa Rio was named the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week Monday afternoon. She is the first Cardinal player to earn the defensive award this season. Rio's combined performance over the weekend against Eastern Michigan University and Central Michigan University earned her the honor. Against Eastern Michigan Friday, Rio posted a season-high 34 digs. She followed that performance up with a 19 dig effort Sunday in helping the Cardinals to a 3-0 sweep of Central Michigan while holding the Chippewas to a -.412 hitting percentage in the third set, the lowest output by a Ball State opponent in rally scoring.

FOOTBALL: Hoke keeping with family tradition

For safety Kyle Hoke, Ball State University football is a family tradition.His father, Jon, played for the Cardinals from 1976-1979 and his mother was Homecoming Queen and the daughter of former assistant coach Jim Hilles. And of course, Kyle's uncle, Brady, the former Ball State captain and head coach can't be forgotten either.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Cardinals win final home match of season

MEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING: Cards drop first meet of the season

Ball State University men's swimming and diving won seven events in their season debut Saturday, but fell short to the University at Buffalo, losing 158-137.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ball State announces TV schedule

The Ball State University men's basketball team will have at least three opportunities in the first two months of the season to show Indiana where it stands among the best college basketball programs in the state.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Seniors reflect on time at Ball State

WOMEN'S TENNIS: Search for coach has not started

The Ball State University athletics department has yet to begin its search for a new women's tennis coach, according to athletics director Tom Collins.

WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING: Cards lose on road to Zips, Bulls

After starting the season strong last weekend, the women's swimming and diving team failed to find the same spark, losing to both the University of Akron and the University at Buffalo. With the losses, Ball State drops to 1-3, both on the season and in Mid-American Conference play.

FOOTBALL: Ball State ready after bye week

For Stan Parrish and Ball State University, the bye week came at just the right time in their schedule.Nine weeks into the season, the Cardinals were able to take a break for the first time this year. Now they are preparing for their final three games.

FIELD HOCKEY: Ball State falls in first round of MAC tournament

In any sport, each team looks forward to postseason play and a chance to win a championship.Those hopes were dashed early for the Ball State University field hockey team as it fell in the first round of the Mid-American Conference tournament to Central Michigan University 3-1 Thursday at the BSU Turf Field.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Ball State to travel north for final road trip

For the last year and a half the state of Michigan has been running advertisements supporting tourism in the state. One slogan during this time period was "Lose yourself in Pure Michigan." That's something the Ball State University women's volleyball team (11-14, 4-8) has done all year.

WOMEN'S SWIMMING: Ball State to travel to Akron, Buffalo

After the first weekend of the women's swimming and diving season, coach Laura Seibold-Caudill did not expect to have a winning record. But the Cardinals did.Seibold-Caudill said last weekend's results were very unexpected as the Cardinals fell 12 points shy of defeating the University of Toledo and beat Bowling Green State University. After starting the season in an impressive way, Seibold-Caudill said she expects things to continue in much of the same way this weekend as the Cardinals travel to the University of Akron and the University at Buffalo.

FIELD HOCKEY: Fifth-seeded Ball State hosts MAC Tourney

With their share of big losses, close losses and a few hard fought wins, the fifth-seeded Cardinals host this weekend's Mid-American Conference Tournament, beginning at 11 a.m. today against fourth-seeded Central Michigan University at the BSU Turf Field. 

DN Weekly Awards

Each week, The Daily News' sports crew picks its PPQ - the play, player and quote of the week.But it doesn't stop there. With the help of our online voters, the weekly fan choice is also featured.

FOOTBALL: Offensive coordinator thrives through his local roots

Eddie Faulkner returned to Muncie to earn his master's degree and join Brady Hoke's coaching staff and has since helped his hometown school into the national spotlight.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Today's home exhibition against Hoosier Lady Stars canceled

The Hoosier Lady Stars is a team of former college basketball players with ties to the Hoosier State. Recent changes in NCAA rules do not permit schools to play non-NCAA Division I four-year college institutions.

MEN'S GOLF: Cardinals finish 6th at Xavier Inviational

MAC pick 'em

ATHLETICS: Triple threat

When senior Sarah Kehe walked into morning swim practice Monday, she was greeted by her teammates like a long lost friend.When the women's swimming and diving team began practicing the second week of the semester, they started without Kehe.The senior missed preseason training because she was preparing for the cross country season. In all, Kehe participates in three sports: cross country, swimming and track.