Ball State men's volleyball is about to make history—and they're doing it away from home. The Cardinals (25-4) have earned their biggest match in 34 years, hosting the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament this Saturday at 6 p.m. at Riverview Health Arena in Noblesville. But don't let the change of venue fool you: this is a home game in spirit, and the stakes have never been higher.
As the No. 4 seed, Ball State swept both the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association regular-season and tournament championships—a feat that hasn't been achieved by a first-year head coach since the program's legendary founder, Dr. Don Shondell, did it back in 1964. That's right: Mike Iandolo, in his debut season, has joined Shondell, Marvin Gray, and Donan Cruz as the only coaches in program history to pull off that double. And he's done it with a team that's 17-1 at home this season.
But here's the twist: Worthen Arena, the Cardinals' home court in Muncie, is booked for commencement ceremonies this weekend. So the action moves to the 4,000-seat Riverview Health Arena in Noblesville, where Ball State will face the winner of Friday night's matchup between Pepperdine and Fort Valley State. It's the first time the program has hosted a regional final since 1992—a full 34 years ago.
"My dad would be thrilled with this team," said Purdue women's volleyball coach Dave Shondell, whose father, Dr. Don Shondell, built the Ball State program from scratch in 1960 as a club team before it became a varsity sport in 1964. Dr. Shondell went on to become the second-winningest coach in NCAA men's volleyball history, with a 769-280-6 record and 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. "It's a bunch of great guys that play hard, they're well-coached."
Iandolo has already proven he's the right man to carry that legacy forward. He's not just winning—he's building a fanbase, connecting with alumni, and doing all the little things that make a program thrive. And now, with a shot at the Final Four on the line, the Cardinals are ready to write the next chapter. First serve is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. Don't miss it.