Ball state wins against IPFW

[benwhipdrofn]

12 Ball State 3, #10 IPFW 2
(Mar 26, 2004 at Muncie, Ind.)

Score by Games 1 2 3 4 5 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -- -----
IPFW................ 30 26 30 18 19 - 2
Ball State.......... 28 30 22 30 21 - 3

[vb]

Looking just at the stats...how can this be?

Outblocked by a ton....10 more hitting errors....more service errors??

[lalalaluuuke]

Can we get a report? outblocked, outhit, more errors?? they must have outdug them then? Sounds like it was a fun game to watch.

[VILI]

I was very fortunate to be in the area, and was able to see this match. This was an intriguing match up and I can easily see why one would be confused by the stats.

I felt like in game on BSU really did a great job of set distribution, where FW struggled. FW blocked better on the stat sheet, but BS really did a good job of touching some balls and getting good soft blocks.

I was impressed with FW's setter. I hadn't really seen much of him, but I think he did a great job of controling his team out there and getting the best out them, although I think he is very predictable going back...but with #11 back there swinging it didn't matter.

BS serving almost cost them big tonight. At one point in the third game I believe it was 14-9 FW and BS had 4 missed serves and Matt for FW had 2 service aces. Their inability to serve and stop Matt from going on runs was costly at times.

Game one I felt was BS and they gave it up in the end, Game two started with BS having a point because Dennis was carded in between games for an obscene gesture to BS fans, and then was mostly BS, Game 3 DOMINATED by FW early and in the middle of game 3 a true suprise, Schunzel was pulled. From my seat I couldn't see why other then it appeared he and Coach Walton were getting into it, not quite sure though may have been something else. A freshman I believe by the name Rumshik (spelling?) came in and was not spectactular, but I don't think BS had anyone else to put in.

Then in Game 4 BS DOMINATED FW worse then they were handled. Nothing was going well for FW, and BS played out of this world. Again I can't say with any certainty why Schunzel went out, but he returned in game 4 on fire. If his removal was a strategic coaching move, then perhaps it worked. He ran the show in game 4, hitting everyone as all players on the court contributed.

Ok....Game 5....UNBELIEVABLE, the MIVA earned my respect tonight for the show these two teams put on in game 5. Back and forth until BS had a 9-7 lead, off an FW timeout they went on a 3-0 run to take the lead 10-7. I kid you not in the fifth game every ball went to Matt for FW, but I can't say it didn't work so more power to "arnies army".

This match would not end. Each team had match points, I think FW had 4 of them, but the deciding plays went like this. 19-18 FW, Matt misses his serve. 19-19 Matt hits one way long and out. 19-20 long rally, Matt again gets set dug by BS's bro, and Delgado hits a pipe to win......WOW

If you ask me the difference tonight was IPFW having only one option in the fifth game as it clearly wore on Matt, and BS began to figure him out. BS on the other hand has a go to guy in Delgado but, also a better supporting cast.

I thouroughly enjoyed this match, feel like this may be an MIVA championship preview. BSU sweeps season series, however this one could have gone either way in that 5th game.

[VILI]

also for anyone knowledgable in the MIVA, who is #8 for bsu? Pat Durbin I saw for the first time tonight, how come no one talks about him? From what I saw tonight he is pretty good for a freshman. Speaking of young players, it seems both these teams have great young players, maybe more so on FW side. Bright future for both programs...

[benwhipdrofn]

a freshy patrick durbin

[midwestfan]

Vili:

Excellent assessment of tonights match! I was going to disagree with you about Matty at the end but after a quick reassessment of the match, I concede that you may be right. But he is amazing isn't he! Another 30 kill night for him with a great hitting % too.

I really think what killed us tonight was our passing! We just "sucked" big time. I think Dennis did a super job of running the offense off of the passess that he received tonight.

This was a good match that could have gone either way and the fifth game was epic.

We'll see what happens the rest of the year, should be interesting!

[VILI]

midwestfan:

Thanks for the support, and if I read you correctly it sounds like you are a player for FW, in which case you and your teammates should all be congradulated on playing a hell of match, and a great season thus far.

I wasn't trying to knock Matt, anyone who on a night like tonight with big pressure who gets set about 60 times and gets 30 kills is worthy of accolades and respect. And BS even comitted on him, as everytime he swung they had atleast 2 blocks up, but could do nothing really to stop him.

I just think in that fifth game he carried them all the way for a while, it just seems too much to ask of any one player in a fifth game to swing at virtually every set.

hats off to both teams, clearly the top two east of Utah (I say this having seen PSU lost tonight, and believing FW and BS are better "teams")

[midwestfan]

No, I'm not a player ... just a humble fan!

Thanks for the accolades on both teams, it's nice to get/hear a little respect.

[sponge13]

Ball State out-dug IPFW 57-38 and had an 83-65 advantage in kills to make up for the hitting errors.