With three outside attackers out of the line-up, the Ball State University men's volleyball team lost to three nationally ranked schools Jan. 3- Jan. 5 at the Outtrigger Invitational in Hawaii.
Todd Chamberlain, Pat Durbin and Eric Shultz didn't play in the tournament as the Cardinals lost to No. 3 UCLA and No. 11 University of Hawaii in four games and No. 4 Penn State University in three games.
"[The tournament] definitely showed us some things ... and unfortunately a few more weaknesses," coach Joel Walton said.
Walton said each player didn't play in the tournament because of different circumstances and declined to comment on the specifics for why each player missed Ball State's first three matches. However, he said the players will return to the line-up for the Cardinals' match Friday.
Last season, Chamberlain was second on the team averaging 2.88 kills per game and missed seven matches because of a 30-day suspension for violating team policy. Durbin made the second-team All-MIVA in 2006 but missed the entire 2007 season.
In addition, Schultz played in 22 of 107 games for the Cardinals last season and averaged 2.45 kills per game.
Walton said without these three players Ball State had some weaknesses at the outside attacker position.
The Cardinals finished the invitational with a tournament-worst .149 attack percentage. Freshman Marcus Imwalle led Ball State with 34 kills during the tournament.
Despite finishing the tournament 0-3, Walton said playing in the tournament and against nationally ranked teams was a good opportunity for the Cardinals.
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