Ball State University
11-9 (5-2MAC)
Ohio
14-4 (7-0MAC)
Volleyball Falls To MAC-Leading Ohio, 3-1
October 18, 2014 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State women's volleyball team saw its four-match Mid-American Conference winning streak come to an end Friday with a 3-1 (25-8, 20-25, 25-20, 25-18) loss to league-leading Ohio inside Worthen Arena.
After each team traded convincing set victories to head to the intermission tied at 1-1, the Bobcats (14-4 / 7-0 MAC) used a strong defensive effort over the final two sets to out-last the Cardinals (11-9 / 5-2 MAC) and claim their eighth straight win, and 13th in their last 14 matches.
“It was a real topsy-turvy match tonight,” Ball State head coach Steve Shondell said. “We were completely dominated in set one by a really good Ohio team. However, we returned the favor in set two, putting together probably our best second set of the season. I was proud of the way the team rebounded from a very difficult first set. In the final two sets, we were right there until late, when Ohio stepped up its defense and made it tough for us to score. Overall, it was a very competitive match and a great learning experience for our team.”
The opening set saw the Bobcats score eight of the first nine points and cruise to a 25-8 victory. The Cardinals responded by building a 10-2 lead in the second stanza and maintain a 10-point advantage at 22-12. While Ohio made a mini comeback, with eight of the next 10 points, a blast from redshirt junior opposite Amanda Raker (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian/Butler) found the hardwood floor to end the set at 25-20.
The teams played to an 18-18 stalemate in the third set, before back-to-back kills from Kelly Lamberti helped the Bobcats claim a 25-20 victory. The Cardinals trailed by one, at 18-17, in the fourth set before Ohio rattled off seven of the final eight points to win the frame 25-18 and end the match.
After playing in a strictly defensive role in the opening set, redshirt junior outside hitter Alex Fuelling (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont/Morehead State) played all around over the final three frames and led the Ball State attack with 12 kills. She also tied for team-high honors with 13 digs to earn her second kill/dig double-double of the year.
Redshirt junior middle hitter Hayley Benson (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Bradley) also continued her strong offensive play, adding 10 kills and a .400 (10-0-25) attack percentage for the match. Redshirt freshman outside hitter Sabrina Mangapora (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) rounded out Ball State's top attackers with nine kills.
In addition to Fuelling, junior libero Kati Vasalakis (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) collected 13 digs for the Cardinals, while leading Ball State's primary passers with a .973 (35 of 36) reception percentage. At the net, junior middle hitter Kelly Hopkins (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) logged a team-best four total blocks, with one solo and three assists.
Ohio's Lamberti paced all players with 15 kills, while Karin Bull added 13 kills and a .812 (13-0-16) attacking mark. The Bobcats' libero, Meredith Ashy, led all players with 23 digs. As a team, Ohio out-hit Ball State .265 (54-18-136) to .134 (44-25-142).
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Saturday, when it hosts Kent State for another 7 p.m. first serve at Worthen Arena.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @SteveShondell on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
