Following the snapping of its six-game win streak, one that had not been achieved for Ball State Women’s Volleyball since 2013, the Cardinals look to focus in this weekend as they return home for matches against Northern Illinois (8-17, 6-4 MAC) and Western Michigan (13-11, 3-7 MAC).
“Last weekend was a test with two tough road games,” head coach Kelli Miller said. “It was a good opportunity to get acclimated to the environment at Miami, since that’s where the MAC tournament will be.”
After bouncing back from Saturday’s loss against Miami with a victory over Bowling Green, the Cardinals face six remaining matches in the regular season before the Mid-American Conference Tournament begins November 15 in Oxford, Ohio.
The Cardinals currently lead the conference in the statistical categories of hitting percentage and blocks. With their total number blocks amounting to 212, beating second-ranked Eastern Michigan by 26 and a combined hitting percentage of .244, the Cardinals are in a secure spot within the conference and things are looking bright for the team heading into the MAC tournament.
“Our fight has been consistent, even if things don’t always go our way,” Miller said. “We continue to battle when things get tough and I’m really proud of their effort, especially during those crucial moments.”
Although the Cardinals are still situated at the number two spot in the MAC standings, the match on Friday will bring the team face-to-face with one of two losses from early in the conference season in Northern Illinois.
“Communication is definitely an area that we have to focus on this weekend and moving forward,” junior Anna Jensen said. “Our confidence in ourselves and each other has really gotten stronger, so translating that into our communication will help us to grow even more.”
Out of their last seven meetings, the Huskies hold the advantage at 5-2, the Cardinals wins coming from 2015 and 2017. The all-time record between the two teams is 36-31 in favor of the Huskies. Currently, the Huskies sit at the third spot in the MAC West Division.
“You want to be playing your best at the end of the season,” Miller said. “We’ve got to take it one match at a time and continue doing what we do.”
Saturday’s match will see the Cardinals hosting the Broncos. Earlier this season, the Cardinals were victorious over the Broncos to open the conference play in match of four-sets.
The matches on Friday and Saturday will begin at 7 PM in Worthen Arena.
Contact Gabi Glass with any comments at grglass@bsu.edu or on Twitter @gabiglassbsu
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