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It didn’t take Patrick Rogers long to break a record at their new team.
The Freshman All-American transfer had 22 kills to set the school record for kills in a three-game match during the 25-point rally scoring era as No. 14 Ball State swept Purdue Fort Wayne 25-19, 26-24, 25-23 on Thursday in Muncie, Indiana.
Rogers began the record setting performance with a game-high nine kills in the first game, including having five kills during a 7-1 Ball State run early in the game.
The outside attacker in the third game had four kills in a span of eight plays and finished the game with nine kills. In addition, Rogers had the match-winning kill that capped off a 6-2 run to close out the match and complete the Cardinals’ comeback from a 21-19 deficit.
Rogers joined Ball State (9-7, 3-1 MIVA) in the offseason after St. Francis Brooklyn disbanded its men’s volleyball season. The sophomore entered this match in the nation’s top 15 with a 3.68 kills per game average.
Along with setting the school record, Rogers finished with a .515 attack percentage against Purdue Fort Wayne (7-6, 1-3 MIVA) and did not commit more than two errors in any game. This also was the fourth time this season Rogers had double-digit kills and hit at least .500.
Ball State in the victory out-hit its in-state rival .306 and .215 and had a match-best .481 attack percentage in the opening game.
Ball State outside attacker Tinaishe Ndavazocheva added 10 kills on a .318 attack percentage, while opposite Braydon Savitski-Lynde had seven kills.
Rogers and setter Lucas Machado defensively each led Ball State with nine digs.
Purdue Fort Wayne pin-hitter Mark Frazier in the loss had a team-high 12 kills. Middle attacker Bryce Walker also had seven kills on a team-best .462 attack percentage.
This victory extended Ball State’s winning streak against Purdue Fort Wayne to eight matches dating back to 2021. In addition, Ball State now moves into tie with No. 10 Loyola for first place in the MIVA.