Ball State upcoming schedule
Jan. 30 - vs. Quincy - 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 31 - vs. Lindenwood - 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 - vs. IPFW - 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 7 - vs. George Mason - 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 12 - vs. Lewis - 7:30 p.m.
The Ball State men's volleyball tean will open Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association play this weekend with two home matches. With five teams in the AVCA top 15 rankings, the MIVA is proving its strength so far this season.
Ball State, ranked No. 14 in the latest polls, will begin league play with matches against Quincy (5-2) and Lindenwood (2-1).
Quincy provides a formidable offensive attack, hitting .258 as a team. The Hawks have four players with at least 49 kills, led by sophomore Jarrod Kelso with 65. Junior Jack Gamache is second on the team with 64 kills.
Quincy also averages 12.04 kills per set compared to Ball State's 11.59.
The Cardinals will look to slow down the Hawks' attack with their nation-leading 3.41 blocks per set average. Freshman Matt Walsh has won the MIVA's Defensive Player of the Week award two consecutive weeks.
The defensive side of the net is where Ball State's second opponent of the weekend, Lindenwood, has succeeded in its three matches, sitting in fifth in the conference in blocks per set average.
The Lions are anchored by Logan Jarus, who has 21 total blocks on the season.
Ball State will likely look to counter Lindewood's defense with junior outside hitter Marcin Niemczewski, whose 60 kills top the roster. He also carries a 3.00 attack percentage.
The Cardinals will look to climb to the top of the MIVA and improve on their 5-1 record to start the season.
Ball State will take on Quincy at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 30, and battle with Lindenwood at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 as well.
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