Ball State University Athletics
Women's Volleyball Clips Eagles 3-1
October 22, 2005 | Women's Volleyball
Muncie, Ind. - - The Ball State (12-8; 6-4 Mid-American Conference) women's volleyball team used a complete team effort to clip the Eastern Michigan Eagles' (15-6; 8-2 MAC) six-match winning streak with a 3-1 (28-30, 30-20, 30-23, 30-23) victory at Worthen Arena Saturday night. In the win, BSU senior outside attacker Sarah Obras (Pendleton, Ind./Pendleton Heights H.S.) became the school's all-time career kills leader with 1,835.
Obras entered the match 10 kills shy of the record (1,827) set by Megan Hammons (1998-2001). She collected her school-record 1,828th kill with a tip just past the EMU block to give Ball State a 28-18 edge in the second set.
In addition, Obras became the first player in Mid-American Conference history to record over 1,500 kills and 1,500 digs in a career midway through the first set. She also became the MAC's all-time career attempts leader with 48 in the match and 5,274 in her career.
"To have Sarah achieve the school's all-time career kills record is no easy accomplishment," said BSU head coach Randy Litchfield. "There have been a long line of great players over the years that have held that record for us. The digs number in combination with her offense has truly made her one of the best all-around players to ever play in the MAC and among the nation's elite."
Obras finished the night with 18 kills and 11 digs, marking her 10th double-double of the season. She also recorded a pair of solo blocks, a service ace and an assist. She also compiled a .250 (
In addition to the record-breaking night for Obras, sophomore setter Angie Parrell (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights H.S.) recorded a career-best 61 assists in the match, while collecting 10 digs, six blocks and four kills.
Senior middle attacker Rachel Refenes (Milwaukee, Wis./MilwaukeeLutheran H.S.) paced all players with 24 kills in the match and a .419 (
Defensively, junior transfer Amanda McCormick (Muncie, Ind./Burris H.S.) set the pace for the Cardinals, falling one dig shy of tying her career-high with 34 in the match. She also collected a pair of service aces. Senior defensive specialist Stephanie Bacan (Remsen, Iowa/St. Mary's H.S.) collected 10 digs and a match-high three aces in the win.
Joining the double-double club for the 14th time this season was junior outside attacker Kelly Cochran (La Porte, Ind./Michigan CityMarquetteH.S.) with 15 kills and 13 digs. She also added a solo block and three assists.
Also aiding in the win for the Cardinals were senior middle attacker Kristin Westhof (Fruitport, Mich./Fruitport H.S.) with seven kills, three blocks and a dig; junior outside attacker Heather Burleson (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian H.S.) with a pair of kills; and sophomore Brittany May (Gaston, Ind./Wes-Del H.S.) with six kills and a pair of blocks.
Statistically, the Cardinals won the battle in every category. BSU hit .251 (76-29-187) compared to a .150 (56-29-180) clip for EMU. The Cardinals also held an 81-to-66 advantage in digs, a 15-to-12 lead in blocks and a 7-to-1 edge in service aces.
Eastern Michigan, who fell to 0-16 in matches played in Worthen Arena, was paced offensively by Melissa Bartlett's 16 kills. Ashley Cudney paced the Eagles with 16 digs.
After a Tuesday trip to Xavier for a 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Muncie Time) showdown with the Musketeers, the Ball State women's volleyball team will close out Mid-American Conference home play next weekend, when it hosts Northern Illinois and Western Michigan. Both matches are slated to begin at
