Full Breakdown
Ball State Men's Volleyball Secures MIVA Title, Earns 2026 NCAA Tournament Bid
4/26/2026, 12:30:36 PM
Championship Victory Secures NCAA Spot
On April 25, the Ball State Cardinals defeated the Loyola Chicago Ramblers 25-22, 25-20, 25-20 at Worthen Arena in Muncie to capture their 16th Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) championship. The win guarantees Ball State a place in the 2026 NCAA men’s volleyball tournament, its first appearance since 2022.
Team Profile & Season Context
Ball State entered the postseason with a 25-4 overall record and a 14-3 conference mark. First-year head coach Mike Iandolo told his squad early that the team was among the nation’s elite, a belief reinforced by a January match against UCLA. Senior outside hitter Patrick Rogers, the MIVA Player-of-the-Year, led the offense, while sophomore Ryan Louis and junior Wil Basilio added scoring depth.
Game Summary & Statistics
Rogers contributed a match-high 16 kills and three straight aces in the second set, turning an 18-17 lead into a 21-17 advantage that gave Ball State a 2-0 set lead. Loyola rallied to 13-9 in the third, but the Cardinals tied at 16-16 and outscored the Ramblers 9-4 to finish. The season record improved to 25-4, and a boisterous home crowd lifted morale during the comeback.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Iandolo reiterated his early belief that the squad was among the nation’s best, noting the team “proved it” on a national stage. Rogers said the Cardinals were “peaking at the right exact moment.” Iandolo added the group “stayed steady” and avoided being swayed by emotions. Louis highlighted the crowd’s role in sustaining morale during the third-set rally.
Impact & Future Outlook
The championship makes Ball State a candidate for a top-four seed, which would grant a regional host slot and a bye to the May 2 regional final. Because Worthen Arena will host graduation ceremonies, the regional will move to Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile in Noblesville. The NCAA selection show airs Sunday at 4 p.m. Eastern, after which the Cardinals learn their regional opponent. A top-four seed would place the team on a path to the national semifinals at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion in early May.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think we’re peaking at the right exact moment,” — Patrick Rogers, MIVA Player-of-the-Year
- “I had no doubt in my mind we were one of the best and now we’re proving it,” — Mike Iandolo, Head Coach
- “We stayed steady. We didn’t let the emotions of the moment get to us.” — Mike Iandolo, Head Coach
- “That third set, when we were down, we heard the crowd. It lifted our spirits. If it wasn’t for the crowd, I don’t know how it would have turned out.” — Ryan Louis, Sophomore
