April 30, 2009

Box Score

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COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ball State rallied from a two-set deficit and turned away a Lewis match point in set four to come back and defeat the Flyers 3-2 (27-30, 21-30, 30-25, 31-29, 15-12) on Thursday evening in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Tournament Semifinals.

Lewis trailed for most of the opening set when they came alive down 19-17. The Flyers tied it at 20 when senior Alex Vigansky (Kenosha, Wis./Tremper) threw down an arrant Ball State free ball. A triple block on the ensuing point gave Lewis a 21-20 advantage, their first lead since the score was 2-1. Lewis grabbed a 24-21 lead on a kill by senior Drew Pickering (Wauwatosa, Wis./Wauwatosa West) which forced Ball State to use their final timeout. Out of the break Pickering delivered another tally on a long rally that featured two digs by senior Nick Perakes (Orlando, Fla./Cypress Creek). Pickering stuffed a late comeback by Ball State with a kill to deliver the three point opening set victory.

The Flyers' momentum carried into game two, grabbing an 8-2 advantage in a flash. Senior Billy Sahagian (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) and Brian Muesenfechter (Florissant, Mo./Christian Brothers) combined for a block and Vigansky tallied an ace to give Lewis a 14-6 lead. Junior Nathan Klaas (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) then delivered a solo block and a kill to give Lewis a 16-6 advantage. Lewis never looked back, taking the set by nine points. Klaas led Lewis with seven kills in the second set.

The Flyers trailed set three 17-14 before scoring four straight points and taking the lead. Muesenefechter had a kill and Klaas added a solo block and a kill during the stretch. Ball State asked for time and responded by recording the next three points. Lewis advanced within one at 25-24 before Ball State scored three straight to take control.

Sahagian and Pickering delivered back-to-back kills in the fourth set to give Lewis a 9-5 advantage. Ball State rallied to tie it at 10 and eventually took a 17-13 lead. It was 27-22 in favor of the Cardinals when Lewis scored six straight to grab a 28-27 lead. Muesenefechter, who had an ace during the stretch, set up the run with serving that repeatedly put the Ball State attack on the defensive. Lewis earned match point at 29-28 following a Sahagian kill but the Cardinals scored two straight to earn their own set point. A Pickering attempt went long on the ensuing point and the two clubs moved to the fifth.

Ball State took the first two point lead in the fifth set at 6-4 on an ace by Mark Termion. A Lewis net violation gave Ball State a 7-4 lead and forced the Flyers to call for time. A Muesenfechter ace cut the Ball State lead to 11-9 and then caused the Cardinals to call for a time out. Ball State held on the rest of the way to advance to the MIVA Championship.

"We started strong but struggled midway through," head coach Dan Friend said. "Give Ball State credit they came back and played well."

Pickering had his fourth double-double of the year with a match-best 18 kills and 12 digs. Muesenfechter added 11 digs, eight kills and two aces. Klaas totaled 15 kills. Sahagian hit .500 with 13 kills. Perakes finished with 13 digs.

Pickering moved into fifth all-time in career kills at Lewis by recording his 1,348th kill. The Flyers' season ends 21-8.