Ball State’s director of athletics Jeff Mitchell sat down with the media to discuss his first year in the position and other topics.
Fourteen of the 20 teams ranked in the final National Collegiate men’s volleyball poll did not earn a spot in the NCAA tournament field, including Ball State.
In this episode, Zach and Adam discuss the future of the Ball State Daily News and recap the Delaware County sports action from the school year.
No. 10 Ball State was upset by No. 18 Lindenwood in a five-set battle (25-20, 21-25, 25-23, 19-25, 11-15) on the Cardinals’ home court Thursday night. With how scarce at-large bids to the NCAA men’s volleyball tournament are, it is likely that the red and white’s 2024 campaign is over.
The Cardinals defeated Queens (9-21, 2-14 MIVA) in three frames (25-22, 25-18, 25-18) on their home floor in the MIVA quarterfinals — marking the red and white’s fourth-straight victory in the first round of the league tournament.
The senior-laden starting rotation propelled the Cardinals to a victory in the class’s final home regular season match. After dropping the first two sets without holding a lead, No. 11 Ball State rallied to defeat No. 18 McKendree (14-11, 8-8 MIVA) in a five-set affair (21-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-23, 15-9) — earning the Cardinals sole possession of the MIVA regular season title.
Shondell — the son of the late Dr. Don Shondell, who led the Cardinals to 20 of their conference championships — will soon have to amend his pregame announcement. By sweeping Quincy (25-23, 25-17, 25-15) Thursday night, Ball State secured its third-straight and 24th-overall Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) regular season title.
The 12th-ranked Cardinals fell to No. 14 Lewis (14-12, 8-6 MIVA) Saturday in five sets (25-18, 19-25, 19-25, 27-25, 12-15) inside Neil Carey Arena.
Even without its kills' leader and most experienced presence in the middle, No. 12 Ball State men’s volleyball powered past longtime conference foe Lewis in five sets.
