Ball State University continued to struggle against ranked opponents this season, this time losing to No. 8 UCLA 3-0 (30-26, 30-18, 30-27) in Los Angeles Wednesday night.
Outside attacker Jamion Hartley led the Cardinals with nine kills.
The Cardinals stayed with the Bruins in games one and three until the very end, but the Bruins had an 8-0 run early in game two to put it away.
UCLA also out-blocked Ball State 14-5.
Ball State drops to 10-6 (4-4 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) and will conclude their west coast swing at No. 2 Pepperdine University tonight.