Ball State University
17-3, 6-1
Ohio
14-7, 6-1
Women's Volleyball Wins Battle Of Division Leaders
October 15, 2011 | Women's Volleyball
ATHENS, Ohio - - After falling behind 14-6 in the opening set, the Ball State women's volleyball team battled back to win the frame and post a 3-1 (25-23, 25-16, 20-25, 25-15) victory over Ohio Friday evening in the battle of Mid-American Conference division leaders at Ohio's Convocation Center.
"It was an incredible victory," said Ball State head coach Steve Shondell. "Ohio is a great team and we could not get anything past them for the first 20 points. We made some adjustments, got into a couple favorable rotations, and for the rest of the match, everything clicked for us. We played great defense tonight and served tough. Everyone who played turned in great performances and helped carry us to a huge league win over a very strong Ohio squad."
With the win, the Cardinals remain in sole possession of first place in the MAC's West Division with a 17-3 (6-1 MAC) record. BSU handed the Bobcats its first MAC loss of the season, as OU sits atop the MAC East Division with a 14-7 (6-1 MAC) record.
BSU's defense provided a huge spark in the win, as five Cardinals finished the night with double-digit digs to help limit the Ohio offense to a .168 (45-20-149) hitting mark. Sophomore libero Catie Fredrich was Ball State's top defender with 17 digs.
Sophomore setter Jacqui Seidel recorded her second double-double of the season and guided the Ball State offense to a .203 (62-27-172) hitting mark by posting a match-best 48 assists to go along with 14 digs. She also added a pair of solo blocks and a block assist, as well as a pair of aces.
Sophomore outside hitter Kylee Baker also finished the night with a double-double, collecting 13 kills and 14 digs. BSU's other double-digit diggers were senior setter Brittany McGinnis (15) and senior defensive specialist Kaylee Schembra (10). The effort marked the first time five BSU players have finished a match with double-digit digs since Nov. 9, 2008 in a 3-2 loss to Akron.
On offense, sophomore outside hitter Whitney Heeres collected a match-best 16 kills, while hitting for a .278 (16-6-36) rate of success. She also added a pair of solo blocks and a block assists.
Senior middle blocker Kelsey Brandl added 13 kills, four total blocks and a .323 (13-3-31) hitting mark, while senior middle blocker/right side hitter Jennifer Boyd tallied nine kills and a .400 (9-1-20) attack percentage. Sophomore transfer right side hitter Lauren Grant added a career-high seven kills.
Chelsea Bilger paced the Ohio attack with 13 kills, while Kelly Lamberti and Katie Post added 12 and 10, respectively. Mollie Geske paced all players with 18 digs, while Lamberti added 16 and Bilger tallied 15 to each finish the night with a double-double.
In addition to out-hitting Ohio, the Cardinals held a 74-62 advantage in digs and a 3-2 edge in aces. The Bobcats out-blocked the Cardinals 12-8.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Saturday evening, when it battles Kent State in a 7:30 p.m. first serve at the M.A.C. Center.
