When Ball State and other top Mid-American Conference women's volleyball programs beefed by their non-conference schedule in 2012, they probably expected a bit more respect when the NCAA's RPI rankings were finally released.
The newly released NCAA women's volleyball RPI rankings are a bit down on the Mid-American Conference in 2012.
In 2011, Ball State made a similar trip to play Northern Illinois and Western Michigan and it ended in two difficult losses.
It's never easy to win a match when unforced errors litter the stat sheet, but Ball State (9-7) has fared well enough for most of the season despite struggling with errors.
Throughout games this season, Ball State coach Craig Roberts hasn't been shy in voicing his displeasure with certain calls made by the referee.
When Ball State travels to Northern Illinois for its third conference match of the season, it will be the first time the two have played since Northern Illinois eliminated Ball State in the 2011 Mid-American Conference tournament.
In the midst of Mid-American Conference play, Ball State has hit a consistency that had been missing for the better part of a month.
With Ball State's depth in the front row lacking after injuries earlier in the season, losing junior outside hitter Kylee Baker was sure to be a loss with no real replacement against Akron.
Ball State got its first win on the Mid-American Conference schedule Thursday night, extending the team's current winning streak.
Facing an abundance of adversity heading into the Ball State Tournament last weekend, Steve Shondell and his team exemplified the kind of grit and determination it takes to succeed.
-á A tumultuous first set was enough for Ball State in its first Mid-American Conference match.
A victory over Pittsburgh, Wright State, and Wyoming in the Ball State Tournament may have been just what the women's volleyball team needed coming into the Mid-American Conference schedule this week.
Unlike the 2011 season, Ball State hasn't seen the number of awards being thrown out to its players each week. But that might start changing.
-á Being at home against a lighter competition is just what Ball State was looking for.
-á A return home couldn't have come at a better time for Ball State.
Ball State wouldn't let the road struggles follow them to Worthen arena as the team burst out to a 3-0 set win over Pittsburgh in its opening match of the Ball State Tournament.
Staying positive can be difficult on the court when coming off a 1-4 stretch, an uncommon hurdle for the Ball State women's volleyball team.
The frustration culminated for Ball State in a Friday night loss in three sets (25-22, 25-14, 25-21) to Creighton.
A failure to close out sets cost Ball State a chance to extend both of its Saturday matches. It ended up aiding Ball State's 0-3 weekend.
The Creighton offense turned out to be too much for Ball State.
