MUNCIE — On the sidelines of Ball State’s first volleyball practice, they wondered if Steve Shondell was watching. Maybe he was. It would be easy enough to catch a glimpse of workouts from Worthen Arena’s concourse without being seen from the floor.
After six years with the Cardinals — the Delaware County volleyball legend announced his retirement from in April — it seemed like he would have a hard time not checking in. Then again, he was quick to endorse trusted assistant Kelli Miller, who had been with him since he started at Ball State.
So when practice began Tuesday not with the laid back, fundamental-obsessed 62-year-old but rather the high-energy, fiercely competitive 30-year-old Miller leading the way, things were already different.