Audio: Ball State coach pleased with team’s resolve in comeback win

Even an overtime loss in the opening game could not prevent No. 13 Ball State from winning its fifth straight match.

Ball State for the first time this season hit more than .300 against a nationally ranked team as it rallied to beat No. 12 George Mason 30-32, 25-15, 25-16, 25-19 on Thursday in Muncie, Indiana.

The Cardinals (7-1, 0-0 MIVA) in the non-conference victory out-hit the Patriots .333 to .128, including having more than a .500 attack percentage in two of the four games.

Opposite Brendan Surane finished with a both a match-high 21 kills on a .342 attack percentage and five blocks against the Patriots (4-3, 1-0 EIVA). Outside attacker Mitch Weiler also had 14 kills, while middle attacker Matt Walsh added eight kills on a .545 attack percentage and five blocks.

George Mason opposite Jack Wilson in the loss had a team-high 10 kills with half of those kills coming in the opening game.

Check out Off the Block’s postmatch interview with Ball State coach Joel Walton following this non-conference match.