By MTN Sports Reporter: Dawson Riggins
MTSU’s volleyball team fell to the Ball State Cardinals at home in the first round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
On Sunday, the Blue Raiders were selected to participate in and host the first round of the NIVC. They also hosted the first round matchup between Clemson and Eastern Kentucky with the winner of both matches facing off in Murfreesboro on Friday.
Both MTSU and Ball State enter the tournament suffering multiple game-losing streaks. The Blue Raiders look to defend home court in the tournament while Ball State looks to keep their season alive on the road.
The first two sets were all Cardinals with Ball State pulling away with the first set 25-23 and crushing to a victory in the second 25-17.
Facing a third-set loss and elimination, The Blue Raiders responded with a 25-20 victory to extend the match to a fourth set.
In a crucial fourth set, Ball State narrowly won by a score of 30-28, giving the Cardinals a road victory in four sets.
Ball State moves on to the second round of the NIVC tournament against Clemson. The Tigers also won on Thursday defeating Eastern Kentucky in three sets.
As for the Blue Raiders, the losing streak extends to their last four games, ending the season with a 20-10 record.