MUNCIE, Ind. – Tony Price comes close to third collegiate double-double, but the IPFW men’s volleyball team fell in straight sets at in-state rival No. 13 Ball State (23-25, 23-25, 18-25). The Mastodons fell to 4-7 overall and 0-3 in MIVA (Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) play.
Price earned 11 kills and seven digs as Andrew Sellan managed 14 kills for the ‘Dons. Luis Bertran inched closer to the IPFW career digs record, gaining 10 against the Cardinals. Bertran now sits 12 digs shy of tying Jay Golsteyn’s 816 career digs for the program record.
The Blue and White fought hard in the opening set, gaining a 12-11 advantage over Cards, but Ball State refused to give up momentum, eventually taking a 22-20 lead. The ‘Dons would continue to fight back, getting within a point, but the Cardinals took the opening set 25-24.
BSU jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the second set, but a 6-2 run for the ‘Dons would help them gain a 10-9 advantage later in the set. Ball State would once again gain momentum with a 6-1 run, giving the Cardinals a 15-11 edge midway through the set. IPFW looked create space late in the second set as the ‘Dons earned a 19-18 lead. However, Ball State would regain the advantage and take the second set 25-23.
IPFW would find itself in a deep hole early in the third set as the Cards gained an 11-3 start, but the ‘Dons would battle back with six-straight points to cut the BSU lead to 11-9. Ball State would continue to go point-for-point with the ‘Dons, eventually taking the final set 25-18.
The Mastodons return to action when they host the 14th-ranked Lewis Flyers on Friday, February 19 at 7 p.m. The match is followed up with the fifth-ranked Loyola Ramblers on Saturday, February 20 at 3 p.m.