Players and coaches on the No. 14 Ball State University men's volleyball team said the record-size crowd at Worthen Arena on Friday was rewarded for attending the match.
Playing in front of a men's volleyball school record 3,429 people, the Cardinals defeated No. 7 UCLA 23-30, 30-24, 30-19, 30-24 in the first match of the Don Shondell Challenge.
"It's got to be one my best wins as head coach," coach Joel Walton. "To do what we did in front of that type of crowd is pretty special."
The win was the second time in Ball State history that a team beat UCLA, the first team to accomplish this feat was coach Don Shondell's 1995 men's volleyball team.
In addition, Friday's match was the Cardinals fourth consecutive win against a nationally ranked team.
"I've been in some big volleyball matches before, but nothing of this level and nothing of this intensity, with this many fans and this good of a team," middle attacker J.D. Gasparovic said.
Gasparovic had a match-high 12 blocks, including six blocks in game four. He also was one of three Cardinals to have nine kills on Friday.
In addition, setter Ethan Pheister had six blocks and a match-high 40 assists.
Shondell, who was in attendance Friday, said Pheister was the most outstanding player on the court.
"He just set beautifully and played great defense, blocking the balls all the time," Shondell said. "It was a team win, but he just did some great things out there."
UCLA players and coaches delayed Friday's match multiple times disputing calls made by the officials.
Libero Tony Ker spent about two minutes talking with the officials when Ball State was awarded a point with the score 24-22 in game four. Also, setter Kevin Ker was reprimanded by the referee after he made a comment in game four.
Walton said Friday's match was somewhat of a role reversal, because when his team struggles in matches the players usually argue with the officials.
"It's interesting to see when your team is playing better the same kind of things happen out of your opponent," Walton said. "We've played match against UCLA and other very strong volleyball teams where their coaches have never had to call a timeout, where we've never forced them to compete, and that wasn't the case [Friday] . You could see through the fact UCLA was having a lot of conversations with the officials they knew they were in a war."
Ball State will conclude the Don Shondell Challenge with another match against UCLA at 7:30 p.m. in Worthen Arena.
Walton said his message to the Cardinals after Friday's match was a simple one to get the players ready for Saturday's rematch.
"Prove it. We've got one, now prove it," Walton said.
Pheister said Friday's win was great but the Cardinals have to sweep the Classic to send message throughout the nation that they can beat anyone.
"This win doesn't mean anything if we don't come out strong [Saturday], and I know we can," Pheister said. "Hopefully we can play a little bit better and get all cylinders clicking."
For more men's volleyball coverage and match updates, continue to check bsudailynews.com throughout today.
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