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WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Purdue defeats Ball State in the 'Battle of the Shondells'

Brandl, Boyd earn tournament honors as team's upset bid falls short

Smiles spread from ear to ear on the Ball State bench.

In the boiling temperature of Belin Court, surrounded by a sold-out crowd of 2,830 fans and an intimidating student section, Ball State wasn't phased.

The Cardinals had stolen the first game 25-23 over 13th ranked Purdue to shock the Boilermaker crowd, which Purdue coach Dave Shondell tweeted, broke the venue attendance record.

At that point, the Ball State women's volleyball team had a look on their faces: Maybe they could do this. Maybe they could take down a national volleyball giant.

"After the first game, we were all really excited, just because we won a set," senior middle blocker Kelsey Brandl said. "We were all really motivated to come in and make a statement."

On the opposite side of the court, the Boilermakers had a much fiercer look on their faces. It was obvious they had had enough.

Purdue stormed back in the second game, seizing the momentum early en route to a 25-17 win in the second game. It didn't let up after that for Ball State.

The 13th ranked Boilermakers took the match and the Battle of the Shondells 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-9), as Dave Shondell beat his brother ­— Ball State coach Steve Shondell — in their first collegiate match against each other.

Purdue claimed the Active Ankle Challenge tournament victory after beating Ball State.

The Cardinals ended the tournament with two wins over Western Carolina and Jacksonville State and a loss to push their record to 9-1. The loss ends their undefeated start to the season.

Throughout the week, the Shondell brothers down-played any importance on coaching against each other in the match. Their stance prior to the match reflected the mood inside the arena once volleyballs started flying.

It was a match between Ball State and Purdue. Nothing more.

"It was a great feeling with all the people from Ball State that came down," Steve Shondell said. "It was a lifetime memory. I'm thankful to be a part of it."

Ball State's players probably shared the same opinion when it came to wanting to win the match for Shondell.

"I wasn't really thinking getting a win for [Steve], I was just thinking more about getting a win for us," senior middle blocker Jennifer Boyd said. "We really wanted to get that win against Purdue. We wanted to get it since my freshman year. Hopefully we'll come back and get them in the NCAA Tournament."

Brandl and Boyd were both named the All-Tournament team, following the match. Purdue's Rachel Davis was named the Tournament MVP.

Losing a match like this could provide more motivation for Ball State to improve than their previous nine wins did, Boyd said.

"Ever since preseason, Steve has been talking about this match," Boyd said. "It shows that even though we worked hard, we still have a lot more to work. I know its definitely motivating me."

Brandl ended the tournament as Ball State's top attacker, with 10 kills against Purdue and 39 combined in all three matches. She also had a .419 attack percentage and nine service aces, tying a Ball State record and setting a career-high with seven aces against Western Carolina Friday.

Boyd had 21 kills in Ball State's three matches.

Now 9-1, Ball State will travel to Michigan State to compete in the Spartan Invitational, the final tournament before Mid-American Conference play starts.

"We know what we have to do now," Brandl said. "We got to block better. We have to play more defense. Trying to get into the NCAA Tournament this year, we're going to have to play teams like this. This match for us is a big learning key."


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