The Lindenwood men's volleyball team (4-9, 1-6 MIVA) fell in a hard fought four set match with No. 11 Ball State (12-5, 5-2 MIVA) on Saturday afternoon in Muncie, Ind.

MATCH OVERVIEW
The first set was a back-and forth one as the two teams were tied at 10-10 early. Ball State went ahead by two at the media timeout 15-13. The Cardinals continued to separate late in the set, taking a 22-17 advantage, which forced a Lindenwood timeout. Ball State would take the opening set 25-18, Jacob Christopher paced Lindenwood with four kills in the opening set.

Ball State won the race to 10 in the second set, going up 10-5. Lindenwood responded with a 5-1 run, including a pair of Brendan Louthain kills to get within one at 11-10. Ball State settled back down and regained control of the set at 18-13. Lindenwood battled back and got within two, 19-17 after a big block from Louthain and Amir Grant. A carter Stenmark kill made the score 22-20 in favor of Ball State, but the Cardinals needed a timeout. Ball State claimed the set 25-20.

It was a seesaw battle to begin the third set, but Lindenwood went on a 3-0 run capped off by an Owen Walsh and Stenmark block, putting the Lions up 12-8. Walsh had another block later in the set to maintain the Lions advantage. Lindenwood took he third set 25-19, finished off by a Walsh block. The Lions hit .500 in the frame

Once again, the two teams traded points to begin the fourth set as it was tied 9-9 early. Lindenwood finally went up by two at 14-12 and led at the media timeout. The Lions continued to lead late in the fourth, until Ball State tied things up at 19. Lindenwood regained a two-point advantage at 23-21 after a Walsh and Solomon block, which forced a Ball State timeout. The Cardinals were able to claw back and take the set in extra points, 28-26 and the match 3-1.

MATCH LEADERS
Cole Schuler (7 kills, .545 hit %, 5 digs)
Owen Walsh (6 kills, .364 hit %, 3 blocks)
Carter Stenmark (13 kills, 5 digs)

UP NEXT
The Lions will travel to Hawaii for a pair of matches with Hawaii March 5-7.