John Nunns led all players with 10 kills and Mount Olive stayed close in the final two sets before falling 25-9, 25-23, 25-20 in non-conference men's volleyball Friday at Muncie, Ind. The match was the start of the Trojans' five-day spring break trip to the Midwest.

Mount Olive (4-10) built a 17-11 lead in the second set after a block by Nunns and Alex Rivero. Ball State (9-5) scored nine of the next 12 points as Larry Wrather's ace tied the set 20-20. A kill by Nunns broke a 21-21 tie, but a pair of Ball State kills put the Cardinals on top. Nunn's kill tied the set 23-23, but a Cardinal kill and block on the final two points gave Ball State a two-set lead.

The Trojans took advantage of Ball State errors to jump out to a 4-1 lead in the third set. Mount Olive still held a 10-8 lead after Adam Miracle's kill, but Ball State answered with an 8-1 run to take the lead for good. The Trojans never got closer than four points the rest of the way.

Rivero finished with eight kills for the Trojans and joined Nunns with two blocks apiece. Jackson Metichecchia recorded 28 assists and six digs, while Dan Arnold had a match-high nine digs.

Kevin Owens led Ball State with nine kills and six blocks.

Mount Olive continues its spring break trip Saturday as the Trojans head to Quincy, Ill., for a rematch against Quincy. The Trojans fell to Quincy in four sets January 13 in the MOC Volleyball Festival at Kornegay Arena. Match time is 7 p.m.