Even with the odds stacked against it, everything fell into place. Ball State clinched the third seed in the MIVA Tournament. In the process, the Cardinals finished higher than predicted in the preseason.
When Steve Shondell was announced as the new women's volleyball coach a year ago, Ball State returned to its roots.
Ball State defeated Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association rival IPFW 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-13) in a hard-fought match Saturday at Worthen Arena.
With Lewis upsetting Ohio State last week in a battle between Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association rivals, Ball State's (16-9, 6-4 MIVA) chances at securing the No. 3 seed in the MIVA Tournament have only become smaller.
It wasn't supposed to be a match Ball State could win, but the Cardinals did everything they could to prove that notion wrong on Friday against Loyola.
The freshmen have faced an unfamiliar situation in their volleyball careers this season: standing on the sidelines.
Ball State battled hard and eventually grabbed a 3-2 (25-12, 18-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-13) comeback victory over Grand Canyon in Worthen Arena Saturday night.
Steve Shondell took over Ball State's women's volleyball program in April 2010 with high aspirations for his team.
With just two serves from senior outside attacker Marcus Imwalle, Grand Canyon's upset bid was foiled.
As the Ball State men's volleyball team heads into its pair of matches this weekend against Grand Canyon, the Cardinals are focusing on treating each match like they're playing against the best team in the nation.
Ball State's 2-3 loss to Division II opponent Lees-McRae on Sunday came back to bite the team on Monday.
The sophomore outside attacker for the Ball State men's volleyball team started the season as a role player off the bench. Three months later, he is gradually becoming the Cardinals' most consistent player at his position.
Wrather led Ball State to a 3-1 win (25-21, 25-19, 24-26, 26-24) over King College with 16 kills and a .279 attack percentage.
Ball State needed to play one of its best games of the season on Friday, and that's exactly what it got.
Any Ball State vs. Lewis match has proven to be intense and hard fought for the past few years.
With limited experience as a setter, Graham McIlvaine won the starting job in January over Dan Wichmann and Elias Aparcedo.
Repeating as a 20-game winner in 2011 just got tougher for the Ball State women's volleyball team.
It's become a trend this season for Ball State to consistently win against inferior opponents, but consistently lose against superior ones.
A shot at revenge fell flat for Ball State on Friday.
Preparation is vital in any sport. It should serve the Ball State men's volleyball team greatly this weekend.
