After winning five straight matches, the Ball State University men's volleyball team will now have to wait eight more days before it can attempt to get its sixth consecutive win.
The Ball State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced Thursday the Cardinals' Saturday home match against East Stroudsburg University was canceled because of inclement weather in Pennsylvania.
The decision was made by the East Stroudsburg athletics department because it did not want its teams traveling this weekend, Ball State coach Joel Walton said. During the next two days, East Stroudsburg, Pa. will receive 4 to 8 inches of snow, according to noaa.gov.
"I had some inclinations earlier in the day," Walton said. "I got one message from the East Stroudsburg coach and later on I got a message. Both messages said the coach was trying to negotiate with his athletic directors, but those negotiations did not go so well."
According to article seven of a contract obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, both teams had the right to reschedule or cancel the match because of weather conditions without any financial penalties. Also, the match will not be considered a forfeit, according to the contract.
Walton said he does not know if the match will be rescheduled for later in the season.
"Our schedule is very full," Walton said. "I don't want to play the match on week where I already have two matches scheduled. Also, for East Stroudsburg this is as far west as they were going to travel this season."
East Stroudsburg (1-7, 0-4 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) is in last place in its conference and most recently lost to No. 2 Penn State University in three games.
The Cardinals' (10-6, 5-1 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) next match will be against No. 6 UCLA on Feb. 29 at Worthen Arena.
Walton said the additional time off will benefit the Cardinals entering next week's match.
"Our guys are going to be fresh going to Sunday's practice and we can focus a little more on the Bruins," Walton said.
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