In front of 1,252 fans at Riverview Health Arena in Noblesville, the Ball State men's volleyball team did something the program hasn't done in 30 years: win an NCAA tournament match on the court.
Down 14-12 in the fifth set, one Pepperdine point away from elimination, the Cardinals scored four straight to take the regional final 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 19-25, 16-14). They're heading to Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles for the Final Four.
The Comeback
The fifth set looked over. Pepperdine led 14-12 with the serve in hand. One point and the Waves were back in the national semifinals.
Then a Pepperdine service error: 14-13.
Patrick Rogers stepped to the service line. The senior outside hitter, a 2026 AVCA National Collegiate Men's Player of the Year semifinalist, was already having a monster match. His first serve set up a triple block from Ball State to even the score at 14-14. His second serve dropped between two Pepperdine defenders for an ace. His third serve ricocheted off a defender and the gym erupted.
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Final score: Ball State 16, Pepperdine 14.
By the Numbers
Ball State out-hit Pepperdine .327 to .297 and tied a season-high with 17.5 total team blocks. The Cardinals also out-blocked the Waves at the net, 17.5 to 15.
Patrick Rogers finished with 15 kills, four service aces (match-high), and nine digs. The aces were the difference.
Ryan Louis led the team with 16 kills on .324 hitting and added five total blocks.
Will Patterson had a career night with 12 kills on a blistering .667 hitting clip and a career-high 11 blocks.
Lucas Machado ran the offense with 52 assists, two shy of his career best, plus seven blocks and six digs.
Wil Basilio added a career-high six blocks and nine digs.