Ball State University
13-2, 2-0
Akron
3-12, 0-2
Women's Volleyball Earns 3-1 Win At Akron
September 24, 2011 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Behind strong attacking performances from junior outside hitter Kara Bates and senior middle blocker Kelsey Brandl, the Ball State women's volleyball team improved to 2-0 in Mid-American Conference action with a 3-1 (25-18, 20-25, 25-10, 25-14) victory at Akron Saturday evening.
With the win, the Cardinals improve to 13-2 (2-0 MAC) on the year, which ties with the 1973 team for the best 15-match record in program history. In addition, Ball State has now won 12 straight MAC regular season contests dating back to last season. Akron falls to 3-12 (0-2 MAC) with the loss.
Bates led all attackers with 16 kills, marking the fourth consecutive contest Bates has been the match's leading attacker. She also connected for a .406 (16-3-32) hitting mark, while adding eight digs, a service ace and a block assist.
Brandl tallied 11 kills in the win, while posting a match-best four total blocks. She would finish the night with a .444 (11-3-18) hitting mark and three digs.
Sophomore outside hitter Kylee Baker also turned in a solid performance, finishing one kill shy of a double-double by tying for match-high honors with 16 digs while blasting nine kills.
Sophomore setter/defensive specialist Jacqui Seidel also collected 16 digs, tying her career high, to help BSU out-dig the Zips 66-49. Sophomore libero Catie Fredrich added 12 digs, marking the 14th-straight match she has collected double-figure digs.
Senior setter Brittany McGinnis led the Ball State offense to a .299 (61-20-136) hitting effort by dishing out a match-best 42 assists, while collecting eight digs, five kills and a .556 (5-0-9) hitting mark. She also tallied an ace and a block assist.
Courtney Jarvis led the Akron attack with a 14-kill effort, while Mary Delich added nine. Chelsea Harvey and Jill Paluch tied for team-high honors with 13 digs apiece.
Overall, the Ball State defense limited Akron to a .115 (39-23-139) hitting percentage, while out-blocking the Zips 8-4. BSU also scored five aces to Akron's two.
The Ball State women's volleyball team continues league play next weekend with a pair of pivotal MAC West matches at Worthen Arena. The Cardinals host the league's preseason favorite Northern Illinois Friday, followed by perennial conference power Western Michigan Saturday. Both matches start at 7 p.m.
