The 2024 Delaware County volleyball season is just around the corner, and while last season had its headliners, 2024 has some hidden gems to offer as well. Head coaches around the county highlighted some athletes to watch out for throughout the campaign.
Daily News high school sports beat reporter Zach Carter gives his awards for the 2023-24 Delaware County sports year.
Fourteen of the 20 teams ranked in the final National Collegiate men’s volleyball poll did not earn a spot in the NCAA tournament field, including Ball State.
Before sunrise, while most of Ball State University’s campus remains still and quiet, a few early risers start their day to fulfill other commitments: a full-time job, missing a class to care for a sick kid or simply being in a completely new environment. There are many paths students take, and varying experiences bring diverse challenges.
No. 10 Ball State was upset by No. 18 Lindenwood in a five-set battle (25-20, 21-25, 25-23, 19-25, 11-15) on the Cardinals’ home court Thursday night. With how scarce at-large bids to the NCAA men’s volleyball tournament are, it is likely that the red and white’s 2024 campaign is over.
The Cardinals defeated Queens (9-21, 2-14 MIVA) in three frames (25-22, 25-18, 25-18) on their home floor in the MIVA quarterfinals — marking the red and white’s fourth-straight victory in the first round of the league tournament.
The senior-laden starting rotation propelled the Cardinals to a victory in the class’s final home regular season match. After dropping the first two sets without holding a lead, No. 11 Ball State rallied to defeat No. 18 McKendree (14-11, 8-8 MIVA) in a five-set affair (21-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-23, 15-9) — earning the Cardinals sole possession of the MIVA regular season title.
Shondell — the son of the late Dr. Don Shondell, who led the Cardinals to 20 of their conference championships — will soon have to amend his pregame announcement. By sweeping Quincy (25-23, 25-17, 25-15) Thursday night, Ball State secured its third-straight and 24th-overall Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) regular season title.
The 12th-ranked Cardinals fell to No. 14 Lewis (14-12, 8-6 MIVA) Saturday in five sets (25-18, 19-25, 19-25, 27-25, 12-15) inside Neil Carey Arena.
Even without its kills' leader and most experienced presence in the middle, No. 12 Ball State men’s volleyball powered past longtime conference foe Lewis in five sets.
Donan Cruz’s arrival at Ball State in 2022 sparked an influx of Hawaiian volleyball flair into the historic program, led by sophomore Keau Thompson and freshman Xander Pink.
Just two days after its 3-0 loss to Ohio State, Ball State posted a bounce-back road win against Purdue Fort Wayne. The Cardinals’ victory completed the season sweep of the Battle of I-69 and extended their winning streak against their rival to nine.
The Cardinals were unable to avenge their home loss to Ohio State in the 2023 MIVA Tournament final, dropping a three-set battle that saw the Buckeyes impose their offensive will.
Ball State men’s volleyball opened its current win streak with a five-set victory against Lindenwood in early February. The Cardinals extended their spurt with the same matchup that started it, downing the Lions for an eighth-straight win.
No. 13 Ball State avenged its season-ending loss by defeating No. 8 Ohio State in Columbus Thursday night.
With No. 12 Ball State’s win (25-19, 25-21, 25-18) over Queens (6-13, 2-8 MIVA) Sunday inside Worthen Arena, the Cardinals surpassed Ohio State — who earned their second conference loss against Loyola Chicago on March 2 — for the first-place spot in the MIVA standings.
Ball State seized its opportunity in front of its fans and protected its home territory for the 10th time in the 2024 campaign. The No. 12 Cardinals downed Queens (6-12, 2-7 MIVA), a first-year member of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association, in three sets (25-22, 25-15, 25-16).
The 13th-ranked Cardinals defeated Quincy (5-6, 1-6 MIVA) in three sets (25-15, 25-12, 25-20) on the Hawks’ home floor to record their fourth-straight win — tied for the red and white’s longest winning streak of the season.
Ball State atoned for its past struggles Saturday night, breaking Loyola Chicago’s precedent of home success in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) matchup. The No. 14 Cardinals defeated the No. 10 Ramblers (8-7, 3-2 MIVA) in five sets (25-16, 25-23, 22-25, 18-25, 15-11) inside hostile Gentile Arena.
Rogers’ contributions again paid dividends Thursday, as he helped No. 14 Ball State defeat rival Purdue Fort Wayne (7-6, 1-3 MIVA) in three sets (25-19, 26-24, 25-23) on the Cardinals’ home court.
