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Post by cardfan on May 6, 2022 6:27:05 GMT -6
Just didn’t get it done last night but it was. a helluva great season. Let’s do it again next year!
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Post by chirpchirpcards on May 6, 2022 6:27:46 GMT -6
I don't think it's the bye so much as the 2 weeks off. If the games were played last week instead it probably wouldn't have been as big of an issue. Either way hell of a first season for Cruz and his team.
Now we see if he's a championship level recruiter, because we all know he's a championship level coach.
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Post by chirpchirpcards on May 6, 2022 6:31:10 GMT -6
What would it take for Ball State to host the final four again?
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Post by Bearkitten on May 6, 2022 8:31:33 GMT -6
Ball State came within a point of sweeping defending national champion and #1 ranked Hawaii in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament last night at UCLA. The Cardinals served twice for set point in set 1, but ultimately lost a heartbreaker 28-26. BSU then won sets 2 and 3 in convincing fashion before the Rainbow Warriors turned the tables in sets 4 and 5 to win the match 3-2. In the final 2 sets, Hawaii fed over the huge Hawaiian crowd that traveled across the ocean to support their Rainbow Warriors along with a 30 piece band and full compliment of male and female cheerleaders. Ball State had a nice crowd too, but nothing compared to the 3000 Hawaii contingent. BSU closes the season 23-4 and ranked 4th in the country under 1st year coach and National Coach of the Year Donan Cruz. Hawaii will meet #2 Long Beach State Saturday at 8:00 on ESPN2. The Beach stormed back from a 0-2 deficit to defeat 19 time national champion UCLA 3-2 and 16-14 in set 5.
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Post by swenocha on May 6, 2022 9:57:25 GMT -6
Now we see if he's a championship level recruiter, because we all know he's a championship level coach. This is what I am curious to see. This team was so senior/grad heavy, next year is going to be interesting. Playing in Hawaii to start is going to be quite a test for a very young team. He talked of having a lot of overseas connections, so it will be interesting to see what international flavor can continue to be brought into the team. There are some good pieces returning (Buckholz, Behrendt, Ball) but in effect all but one part of the normal starting rotation is out the door as of last night and a bunch of people we are used to seeing standing on the sidelines and occasionally coming in to serve will get their shot (or will be recruited over). Should be interesting... |
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Post by Bearkitten on May 6, 2022 10:59:31 GMT -6
Now we see if he's a championship level recruiter, because we all know he's a championship level coach. This is what I am curious to see. This team was so senior/grad heavy, next year is going to be interesting. Playing in Hawaii to start is going to be quite a test for a very young team. He talked of having a lot of overseas connections, so it will be interesting to see what international flavor can continue to be brought into the team. There are some good pieces returning (Buckholz, Behrendt, Ball) but in effect all but one part of the normal starting rotation is out the door as of last night and a bunch of people we are used to seeing standing on the sidelines and occasionally coming in to serve will get their shot (or will be recruited over). Should be interesting... You will be pleasantly surprised that All American’s Caleb Jenness and Felix Egharevba are both returning to play their Covid year next season. So the cupboard is not nearly as bare as you thought. 7 outstanding recruits including one international player, are coming in addition to the players that did not start or redshirted this season. BSU will again be strong next season. |
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Post by bsu0 on May 6, 2022 11:06:28 GMT -6
I am enthused and depressed at the same time. Having attended BSU from '71-'72 and '74-'77, I was there for two national finals played in Muncie while I was in school. Each time we did not win. This year I felt we had a real chance of winning the tournament but once again we failed. The time is now to reload get some experience and return to the finals determined to come out on top. I think we will. Congratulations to this year's squad for a hell of a run. I could not be more proud. There we many on this site who did not think we had a chance...you proved them wrong...even among the faithful there are too many that think we are still ''Little Ole Ball State''. We have made great strides over the past few decades and improved every aspect of this University. Now is the time to take one more big step in athletics and win a championship and I and many more think we will.
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Post by Bearkitten on May 6, 2022 11:08:06 GMT -6
What would it take for Ball State to host the final four again? According to Coach Cruz, BSU is going to push to host the NCAA tournament again. Right now it conflicts with graduation weekend. |
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Post by 87grad on May 6, 2022 11:31:03 GMT -6
I kept thinking in the 4th set that if we could get it to a tie that it would break Hawaii. Just couldn't quite get there.
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Post by thebsukid on May 6, 2022 12:35:03 GMT -6
Unforced errors likely cost us in a run to the Championship!
I like our Coach; he will continue to achieve!
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Post by cardsbballfan on May 6, 2022 12:42:36 GMT -6
Congratulations to our players and coach on a wonderful season!! Very proud of what you accomplished this year!!
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Post by swenocha on May 6, 2022 13:09:27 GMT -6
This is what I am curious to see. This team was so senior/grad heavy, next year is going to be interesting. Playing in Hawaii to start is going to be quite a test for a very young team. He talked of having a lot of overseas connections, so it will be interesting to see what international flavor can continue to be brought into the team. There are some good pieces returning (Buckholz, Behrendt, Ball) but in effect all but one part of the normal starting rotation is out the door as of last night and a bunch of people we are used to seeing standing on the sidelines and occasionally coming in to serve will get their shot (or will be recruited over). Should be interesting... You will be pleasantly surprised that All American’s Caleb Jenness and Felix Egharevba are both returning to play their Covid year next season. So the cupboard is not nearly as bare as you thought. 7 outstanding recruits including one international player, are coming in addition to the players that did not start or redshirted this season. BSU will again be strong next season. That's good news. As someone who no longer has any insight or "in" into the program like I might have decades ago, it is really hard to gauge these kind of things with the lack of media coverage (unlike football). So, not surprising, but good to hear. |
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Post by CallingBS on May 6, 2022 16:06:58 GMT -6
We didn’t send cheerleaders or the band or the mascot to a national semifinal game? Really? Well, BSU........ |
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Post by lmills72 on May 6, 2022 17:24:18 GMT -6
You will be pleasantly surprised that All American’s Caleb Jenness and Felix Egharevba are both returning to play their Covid year next season. So the cupboard is not nearly as bare as you thought. 7 outstanding recruits including one international player, are coming in addition to the players that did not start or redshirted this season. BSU will again be strong next season. That's good news. As someone who no longer has any insight or "in" into the program like I might have decades ago, it is really hard to gauge these kind of things with the lack of media coverage (unlike football). So, not surprising, but good to hear. I would think the biggest piece of the puzzle to replace is Isaacson. Is Flores the heir apparent to the setter role? I don't think there are any other setters listed on the current roster and none of the 5 recruits listed on middlehitter.com are listed as setters. Supposedly there are two other recruits coming from somewhere? Either of them setters? |
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Post by Bearkitten on May 8, 2022 18:42:53 GMT -6
Hawaii sweeps Long Beach to repeat as National Champions! To think the Cardinals were one point away from potentially sweeping Hawaii is a great testament to how good this Ball State was! A tip of the hat to National Coach of the Year Donan Cruz and the Cardinals! Ball State volleyball is back!
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