MUNCIE, Ind. - - Despite a close first two games, the Ball State women's volleyball team suffered a 3-1 (30-26, 29-31, 30-18, 30-19) setback to Miami Friday night at Worthen Arena.
With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 2-7 in Mid-American Conference action and 3-18 overall.
The RedHawks, who pick up their eighth-straight win, improve to 11-7 (8-1 MAC), including a win over then-No. 17 Ohio.
Ball State's Julie Breivogel (Boonville, Ind./Boonville H.S.) paced all players with 14 kills, while Alyssa Rio (Wayne, Ill./St. Francis H.S.) collected a match-high 23 digs.
After playing to a 4-4 tie in the opening set, Ball State was able to rally behind the serving of Abby LaVigne (Swanton, Ohio/Swanton H.S.), as the freshman helped the Cardinals tally the next five points by scoring a pair of aces and forcing two Miami miscues.
The RedHawks battled back, tying the game at 11, before pulling ahead 15-12. After Ball State tied the set three points later, a kill from Breivogel gave the Cardinals a 16-15 edge. BSU continued to hold the lead at the 21-20 mark, while the teams eventually played to a 22-22 tie.
Miami's Carli Reihman broke the deadlock with a kill, to help the guests post an 8-4 game-ending run. The RedHawks' Jeanna Staun ended the set with back-to-back kills, part of her seven in the stanza.
Ball State found itself in an early 5-0 hole in the second game, and eventually fell behind by seven points at the 18-11 mark. After an Alexis Shonkwiler (Marion, Ind./Eastbrook H.S.) kill ended a 5-0 Miami run, the Cardinals rallied to tie the game at 25-25 capped by a solo block from senior Brittany May (Gaston, Ind./Wes-Del H.S.).
From there, the teams played to a 28-28 tie before a Reihman kill gave Miami game-point at 29-28. BSU's Breivogel answered with a solo block and a RedHawks' attack error ended the game at 31-29.
Ball State looked to have all the momentum going into the locker room, but it was the RedHawks who came out strong in the third set, scoring the first two points and never looking back, winning the game 30-18.
The fourth game saw Miami score the first five points and pull ahead by six at the 11-5 mark. Like the second game, the Cardinals were able to battle back, drawing within two at 20-18.
Unfortunately an untimely service error from BSU's Christine Kennedy (San Marcos, Calif./University of San Diego H.S.) and a strong serving effort from Miami's Melissa Zenz helped the RedHawks score the next nine points and reach game point at 29-18.
After a block assist from BSU's Shonkwiler and Breivogel, a kill from Miami's Reihman ended the game at 30-19.
BSU held a decisive digging advantage in the match, logging 71 to Miami's 49, but were unable to capitalize on offense, getting out-hit .186 (55-24-167) to .047 (49-42-150).
Four RedHawks' finished the contest with double-figure kills, paced by Staun's 12. Zenz collected a team-best 13 digs for Miami, while adding a match-best three service aces.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Saturday night, when it hosts Bowling Green at 7 p.m. in Worthen Arena.
