Playing its second match in as many nights against a nationally ranked Division I opponent, University of Mount Olive fell to No. 14 Ball State 25-15, 25-9, 25-20 in non-conference men's volleyball Saturday at Muncie, Ind. Garrett Dimm served three aces for the Troajns, all in the third set.
After dropping the first two sets, Mount Olive (7-9) jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the third set after back-to-back service aces by Dimm. Ball State (10-3) chipped away and then scored seven unanswered points to take the lead for good at 17-12. The Trojans got as close as 21-18 after a kill by Lewis Einarson and another ace by Dimm. Ball State then scored the next two points as the Cardinals pulled away for the win.
Einarson and Angel Dache recorded six kills apiece for the Trojans. Quaid Marin finished with 18 assists, while Keaton Marin tallied 11 digs.
Ball State was led by Kevin Owens with a match-high eight kills.
Friday night, Mount Olive fell in three sets at nationally 15th-ranked IPFW. Two of the sets were decided by 25-23 scores.
Mount Olive is idle until March 12, when the Trojans play host to Pfeiffer in a Conference Carolinas match-up. The contest was originally scheduled for March 11, but was pushed back a day to accommodate Pfeiffer's schedule. Match time is 7 p.m. at Kornegay Arena.