Ball State University Athletics
Western Michigan Scores 3-1 Victory over Women's Volleyball
October 13, 2006 | Women's Volleyball
Muncie, Ind. - - After leading 29-25 in the fourth game, the Ball State (6-13; 3-4 Mid-American Conference) women's volleyball team saw its bid at a comeback victory fall short Friday night at Worthen Arena, as Western Michigan (13-8, 3-4 MAC) rallied to win the set and the match by a score of 3-1 (30-26, 26-30, 30-23, 33-31).
In the pivotal fourth game, the Cardinals trailed by as many as six points before tying the game at 15-15 and holding game point at 29-25. However a service error and three-straight Western Michigan kills tied the set at 29-29. Senior
BSU senior Kirby Gibson (Lafayette, Ind./Jefferson H.S.) would follow by smashing her career-high tying 17th kill to give BSU its third game point at 31-30. However, BSU would not score again in the frame, as a Cardinals' attack error and a Moore and Ashley Vogl block assists set up Caitlin Strimel's match-winning service ace.
In addition to her career-high tying 17 kills, Gibson finished the contest with a team-best three total blocks, including two solo stuffs.
Cochran would add 11 digs to her statistical line for her team-leading ninth double-double of the season. She also scored one of BSU's four service aces, while adding a block assists.
Senior libero Amanda McCormick (Muncie, Ind./Burris H.S.) would continue her march to 2,000 digs, pacing the Cardinals with 28 digs. The total leaves her at 1,936, making her 64 shy of 2,000. McCormick would also score a kill in the loss.
After losing the opening set 30-26, the Cardinals would tie the match at one game apiece with a 30-26 victory of its own in the second set. In the second stanza, BSU scored 20 kills and hit for a .383 (
Coming out of the break, the Cardinals would lose the third frame 30-23 before falling in the fourth 33-31.
Also posting double-figure kill totals for the Cardinals were freshman Julie Breivogel (Boonville, Ind./Boonville H.S.) with 12 and
Junior setter Angie Parrell (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights H.S.) would score her fifth double-double of the season, with 44 assists and 12 digs. She would also add a three kills and an ace before being replaced by freshman Cassie Conner (Willow Springs, Ill./Lyons Township H.S.) - - who scored 13 assists and two digs - - in the fourth game.
Also factoring in the match for Ball State were: freshman
As a team, Ball State was out-hit .223 (69-27-188) to .274 (76-21-201) in the match. WMU also held a 12-6 advantage in total blocks. BSU score a slim win in digs, 85-81, and posted four aces to the Broncos' three.
Five Western Michigan players would tally double-figure kills in the contest, with Morre, Kathryn Babcock and Katie Eberling each scoring 15. Strimel would pace all players with 33 digs on the night.
Ball State will look to end its three-match losing streak Saturday night, when it hosts MAC West Division leader Northern Illinois at
