Having spent a majority of the season on the road, it's only fitting that after a brief two-game home stand, the Ball State University women's volleyball team is back on the road again. The only difference on this road trip is that confidence has been adjusted and tension is higher after a disappointing loss to Western Michigan University last week.
The tension, disappointment and determination have all been key factors in practice this week leading up to the Ball State women's volleyball team (8-7, 1-1) traveling to Central Michigan (8-4, 1-1) and Eastern Michigan (1-15, 0-2) universities.
"Hopefully this past week will motivate us," coach Dave Boos said. "Being on the road will help take distractions away, which is good because Central Michigan plays really well at home. They're a very tough team to play at their place."
There are multiple concerns facing the Cardinals in their latest road appearance. One of these concerns comes in the shape of Central Michigan's high-paced, intense offense.
"Our main focus is coming out strong as a team and showing our heart," defensive specialist Christie Waters said. "We're pretty confident in our abilities but we really want to prove we're a team the rest of the MAC should be concerned about and be talking about."
There's no better way for Cardinals to do that then stopping the quick attacks, particularly from the outside hitters of the Chippewas.
"The key is going to be identifying the play they're running just as they start running it," Boos said. "If we can identify and respond quickly enough to execute defensively and transition back on the attack we'll have a good weekend."
The other concern and focus among the team and coaching staff this week in practice has been mentality. After being in position to take the first set from Western Michigan on Saturday night at Worthen Arena, Ball State lost its edge. That's something Boos wants to find again, quickly.
"We have to be ready for these teams to push us. The MAC is a difficult conference to play in and with playing on the road, we will be pushed," Boos said. "We have to have the mentality and toughness to respond when we are pushed."
No matter how tiring it is to continually recall the loss to Western Michigan, it is serving its purpose as motivation.
"We rolled over for Western in the first and third sets," Waters said. "We're working hard and applying lessons learned so we don't roll over again for anyone."
Another concern facing Ball State in Michigan will be the service game.
"Central serves the ball well. They're really going to test us and make us be good from behind the line," Boos said.
The Cardinals now sit halfway through the season, having played 15 games with 14 to go. Interestingly enough, Ball State has not played more than four sets all year, after having played in numerous five set thrillers last season. In three set games Ball State is 7-4, while they are only 1-3 in four set games on the season.
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