Nothing phased the No. 9/8 Ball State – even after allowing a .500 attack percentage in the first game.
Ball State rebounded from an opening-game loss and committed one error in the final two games as it defeated No. 13/10 Lindenwood 21-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-14 on Friday in Muncie, Indiana.
Setter Lucas Machado guided the offense to out-hit Lindenwood .442 to .204 highlighted with the Cardinals having no errors and a match-best .619 attack percentage in the final game. The Cardinals also finished the match with seven attack errors – two errors more than their season-low and 17 more errors than the Lions.
Along with running the offense, Machado added a season-high seven kills and hit a match-best .778.
All three of Ball State’s pin-hitters had more than a .300 attack percentage.
Outside attacker Wil Basilio had a team-high 13 kills on a .417 attack percentage en route to Ball State extending its winning streak to nine matches.
Opposite Ryan Louis contributed 11 kills and hit .500, while outside attacker Patrick Rogers had nine kills. In addition, Louis and Rogers each had one error in the final three games.
Louis and middle attacker Will Patterson defensively led all players with five blocks.
Lindenwood following the opening game was limited to less than a .125 attack percentage in each of the last three games.
Opposite Luke Kraft in the loss finished with a match-high 15 kills, including having nine kills in the opening game. Kraft, though, was the only Lion to have double-digit kills.
Ball State with this victory moves into sole possession of first place in the MIVA.
Lindenwood entered tied with Ball State for first place and on a nine-match winning streak. This is the first loss for Lindenwood since losing its season opener to No. 2/2 Long Beach State.