The men's volleyball headed to Loyola-Chicago Friday to battle for second place in the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. Both teams were 3-1 in the MIVA, and the winner would be just one game behind league-leading Lewis.
The Cardinals lost in straight sets, however, to fall to 8-3 and 3-2, third place in the conference.
"We played about as bad as the stats looked," head coach Joel Walton said. "We got manhandled."
The No. 15 Ramblers downed Ball State 30-22, 30-20, 30-26. While the Cardinals hit .307 in the match, Loyola hit .542.
"One of our goals is to hit over .300," Walton said, "but when we hit .307 and the other team hits .542, we can't compete very well."
Loyola senior outside hitter Justin Schnor had 22 kills and a .750 hitting percentage. Senior outside attacker Kyle Weindel led the Cardinals with 15 kills and a .448 hitting percentage. Junior setter Keith Schunzel had 40 assists.
In the match, the Cardinals had 19 service errors and no aces. Walton said the team's bad serves were a key in the loss.
"There were times when we would build momentum and we would follow it up with a bad serve," Walton said. "We didn't put any service pressure on them."
Walton said one of the problems in the Cardinal offense is that the team isn't using its middle attackers enough.
"Our offense is very out of balance and skewed toward the outside attackers," Walton said. "We need to start running more balls to our (middle attackers). We need to get Keith (Schunzel) more confident in setting them the ball and giving them opportunities to swing."
Walton told his team after the loss that he was upset. He said he now needs the team to respond and play up to its ability in its games this weekend. The Cardinals play Ohio State at home Friday and Mercyhurst at home Saturday.
"We need to show a sense of urgency and purpose when we step out on the floor (this weekend)," Walton said. "I'm not asking them to do anything they can't. We have to try and get back in that frame of mind and compete the way we're capable."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
