The Ball State University men's volleyball team defeated a ranked opponent for the first time this season, but then dropped its next match.
The Cardinals (8-6, 3-1 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) upset No. 6 IPFW (9-3, 4-3 MIVA), 3-1 (30-27, 30-24, 19-30, 30-16) Friday.
The win against IPFW was a big step forward for the Cardinals, coach Joel Walton said.
"It was a really big deal to our guys from the standpoint that we can beat a really good team," he said.
In the fourth game, IPFW coach Arnie Ball was ejected for arguing with the officials.
Ball, a 1971 Ball State graduate, disagreed with several calls the officials made throughout the match. He got off the bench and began arguing with officials after he believed the officials made a wrong call. Ball most likely was trying to motivate his team, Walton said.
"I didn't want our players to get distracted and let his strategy work," Walton said.
Sophomore Todd Chamberlain said the win was very important for Ball State and its MIVA season.
"It gave our team a lot of confidence," Chamberlain said. "It surprised a lot of people."
The Cardinals dropped Saturday's match to No. 11 Loyola University Chicago (12-3, 4-2 MIVA), 3-1 (36-34, 30-32, 30-23, 31-29). Walton said the amount of energy it took to win Friday night left Ball State a little flat Saturday.
"[Saturday's loss] definitely takes away some [momentum] and shows us that we have more work to do," Walton said.
The loss to Loyola was Ball State's first loss in conference play this season. After the weekend matches, Ball State is second in the MIVA standings behind Ohio State University (13-1, 4-0 MIVA).
"It's frustrating because we were at home and lost two games that extended beyond 30 points," Walton said.
The team's defensive play has been good, but it still must improve its offensive play, Walton said.
Ball State had a 50 to 39 advantage in digs against IPFW and a 57 to 55 advantage in digs against Loyola. Ball State held the advantage in attack percentage against IPFW .185 to .130, but Loyola had the advantage in attack percentage against Ball State .215 to .196.
One of the key offensive players this season has been Todd Chamberlain, however it was his defensive play that highlighted the weekend. Chamberlain led Ball State with 12 digs and tied a team high with six blocks against IPFW. Against Loyola, he led the team with 16 kills and a career-high 17 digs.
"His defense was a pleasant surprise," Walton said. "His digs came at critical times."
Chamberlain said he was happy with the way he blocked and dug against IPFW and Loyola.
Walton said Chamberlain is an incredible athlete, but he has to cut down on his attacking and service errors.
"He is continuing to develop as a sophomore as a leader of our team," Walton said. "He still has areas to improve."
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