Saturday, March 29
Muncie, IN
5:00 PM
Ball State University
17-9,9-4MIVA
3
vs
1
McKendree University
15-7,10-3MIVA
1
2
3
4
F
McKendree
13
26
23
23
1
Ball St.
25
24
25
25
3
No. 14 Ball State Upsets No. 10 McKendree in Four
March 29, 2025 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. – No. 14 Ball State men's volleyball pulled off their first top 10 upset of the season, beating No. 10 McKendree 3-1 (25-13, 24-26, 25-23, 25-23) at home on Saturday (Mar. 29) for senior night.
The Cardinals (17-9, 9-4 MIVA) opened senior night with a lineup of familiar faces, including seniors Rajé Alleyne, Vanis Buckholz, Rodney Wallace, Tinaishe Ndavazocheva, Lukas Machado and Xander Pink. In an aggressive first set, Ball State immediately jumped ahead 4-0 over the Bearcats (15-7, 10-3 MIVA). Offense remained strong, flying past the visitors at a .727 clip and closing the frame 25-13. Patrick Rogers led the Cardinals in the opening point, adding seven kills at an impressive .875 hitting percentage.
It was a closer start to the second set as the two teams battled back and forth through a 19-19 tie. McKendree was able to pull ahead with the lead, and in extra points the Bearcats evened the match with a 26-24 second frame.
Set three was another point for point battle with Ball State leading 15-14 at the media timeout. From there, the Cardinals were able to put together enough points to build a 21-16 lead and force a Bearcat timeout. McKendree came back and answered with three, closing the gap to 21-19. It was a fight to 25, but the Cardinals were able to maintain the advantage and close the set 25-23.
The Cardinals went into the fourth set leading the match 2-1. McKendree took the first significant lead of the frame, pacing the Cardinals at 11-8. Ball State fought back to tie the set at 12-12, remaining even through 22-22. A kill from Ndavazocheva and a Bearcat error erased the tie, putting the Cardinals at set point. McKendree responded with a kill to make the score 23-24, but a kill from Rogers completed the Ball State upset at 25-23.
Rogers led the Cardinals in their victory, hitting a .424 with 20 kills. Ndavazocheva was also a major impact for the home team, adding 15 kills at a .433 clip and an ace. At the net, Ndavazocheva led the team with five block assists and one block solo.
Setter, Peter Zurawski directed the offense, tabbing 49 assists on the night. Zurawski also led the team in digs with eight.
Ball State will return to the road for a trip to Columbus, Ohio next Thursday (Apr. 3) to take on the No. 17 Buckeyes. The Cardinals will end the week in Fort Wayne on Saturday (Apr. 5) when they take on the Mastodons.
The Cardinals (17-9, 9-4 MIVA) opened senior night with a lineup of familiar faces, including seniors Rajé Alleyne, Vanis Buckholz, Rodney Wallace, Tinaishe Ndavazocheva, Lukas Machado and Xander Pink. In an aggressive first set, Ball State immediately jumped ahead 4-0 over the Bearcats (15-7, 10-3 MIVA). Offense remained strong, flying past the visitors at a .727 clip and closing the frame 25-13. Patrick Rogers led the Cardinals in the opening point, adding seven kills at an impressive .875 hitting percentage.
It was a closer start to the second set as the two teams battled back and forth through a 19-19 tie. McKendree was able to pull ahead with the lead, and in extra points the Bearcats evened the match with a 26-24 second frame.
Set three was another point for point battle with Ball State leading 15-14 at the media timeout. From there, the Cardinals were able to put together enough points to build a 21-16 lead and force a Bearcat timeout. McKendree came back and answered with three, closing the gap to 21-19. It was a fight to 25, but the Cardinals were able to maintain the advantage and close the set 25-23.
The Cardinals went into the fourth set leading the match 2-1. McKendree took the first significant lead of the frame, pacing the Cardinals at 11-8. Ball State fought back to tie the set at 12-12, remaining even through 22-22. A kill from Ndavazocheva and a Bearcat error erased the tie, putting the Cardinals at set point. McKendree responded with a kill to make the score 23-24, but a kill from Rogers completed the Ball State upset at 25-23.
Rogers led the Cardinals in their victory, hitting a .424 with 20 kills. Ndavazocheva was also a major impact for the home team, adding 15 kills at a .433 clip and an ace. At the net, Ndavazocheva led the team with five block assists and one block solo.
Setter, Peter Zurawski directed the offense, tabbing 49 assists on the night. Zurawski also led the team in digs with eight.
Ball State will return to the road for a trip to Columbus, Ohio next Thursday (Apr. 3) to take on the No. 17 Buckeyes. The Cardinals will end the week in Fort Wayne on Saturday (Apr. 5) when they take on the Mastodons.
Team Stats
McK
BSU
Kills
53
58
Errors
24
17
Attempts
119
122
Hitting %
.244
.336
Points
62.5
75.5
Assists
53
57
Aces
1
5
Blocks
8.5
12.5
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
20
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
15
Aces
1
Blocks
6
Kills
10
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
5
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Men's VolleyballOH/OPP
/ Men's Volleyball
L
/ Men's VolleyballOH
/ Men's Volleyball
MB
/ Men's Volleyball
S
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