OPENING SERVE
Score: Ball State 3 | Queens 0
Records: Queens (5-3 overall, 0-1 MIVA) | Ball State (9-1 overall, 1-0 MIVA)
Location: Worthen Arena (Muncie, Ind.)
THE SHORT STORY
The Queens University of Charlotte men's volleyball team opened MIVA play Thursday evening with a loss at No. 9 Ball State inside Worthen Arena. The Royals showed stretches of efficient offense and battled through 32 tie scores, but the Cardinals' service pressure and late-set execution proved decisive in a 25-19, 25-22, 25-22 result.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Queens hit .273 as a team with 36 kills on 88 swings.
- The Royals totaled 32 assists, 26 digs, and nine blocks (three solo, six assists).
- Queens posted its best offensive set in the second, hitting .387 with 14 kills and two errors.
- Chance Shampine led the Royals with 10 kills and nine digs.
- Reed Shuey added seven kills on .545 hitting with two blocks.
- Nathan Vaupel chipped in seven kills on .455 efficiency and four total blocks.
- Kaden Saurer recorded six kills and six digs.
- Charlie Podgorny paced the offense with 31 assists.
NOTABLE MOMENTS
- Queens kept the opener tight with six ties before Ball State used a late push to take the set, 25-19.
- The Royals answered with their most efficient stretch in set two, twice trimming the deficit to two points before the Cardinals closed it out.
- The third featured 11 ties and four lead changes, but Ball State used an 8-2 run midway through to secure the sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Queens placed four players at six or more kills in a balanced attack.
- The Royals out-hit Ball State in the second set and matched the Cardinals block-for-block at the net.
- Ball State was powered by Patrick Rogers' 13 kills on .524 hitting and eight team service aces while the Cardinals hit .310 overall.
UP NEXT
Queens will face Ball State again on the road for a 7 p.m. first-serve tomorrow, Feb. 6.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow the Royals men's volleyball team on Instagram and Twitter/X to stay up to date on all the latest news surrounding the team. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics to stay updated on all the Royals sports teams in action by searching @QueensAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
