Ball State University
9-8 (3-1MAC)
Central Michigan
7-9 (2-2MAC)
Volleyball Fights Off Chippwas For Saturday Win
October 05, 2014 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State women's volleyball team fought off a strong Central Michigan charge to earn a 3-1 (25-15, 24-26, 25-21, 25-18) victory in Mid-American Conference action Saturday night at Worthen Arena.
With the Cardinals (9-8 / 3-1 MAC) leading 19-12 in the second set, the Chippewas (7-9 / 2-2 MAC) rallied back to claim the frame 26-24 and even the match at one set apiece. Ball State would not be denied the victory on its home court, however, winning the next two sets to take the match 3-1.
“We were more balanced in our overall game tonight, and that helped carry us past a solid Central Michigan squad,” Ball State head coach Steve Shondell said. “I thought our offense was much better than last night, and our defense and ball control maintained their level of play from yesterday. I was more pleased with our overall play tonight, and I am excited we were able to walk away with a pair of hard-fought wins this weekend.”
After CMU's thrilling finish in the second set, the Cardinals capped the third frame in their own dramatic fashion. With the score knotted at 21, kills from redshirt freshman outside hitter Sabrina Mangapora (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) and redshirt junior middle hitter Kelly Hopkins (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) moved the Cardinals ahead 23-21. Hopkins and junior setter Jenna Spadafora (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) combined for a block to give Ball State set point on the next rally, while Mangapora capped a four-point rally with another smash to the Worthen Arena hardwood floor.
The Cardinals took control of the fourth and final set early, pulling ahead 8-3 on their way to a 25-18 victory. Ball State has won the last three matches versus the Chippewas, and maintains a 17-4 edge over CMU in Worthen Arena.
Redshirt junior middle hitter Hayley Benson (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Bradley) led Ball State's offense with 15 kills, while hitting for a .444 (15-3-27) rate of success. Hopkins added 14 kills and a .407 (14-3-27) attack percentage, to go along with a team-high and season-best five total blocks.
Junior libero Kati Vasalakis (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) paced the Cardinals defense with 19 digs while adding a pair of service aces. Redshirt junior defensive specialist Alex Fuelling (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont/Morehead State) also logged double-digit digs for the Ball State defense with 15.
Overall, Spadafora set the Cardinals to a .242 (55-19-149) attack percentage, while the Ball State defense held the Chippewas to a .159 (48-25-145) rate of success. CMU held the edge in team blocks, 12.0-to-8.0, and team digs, 64-to-60.
The Chippewas' Kaitlyn McIntyre led all players with 16 kills, while Kristen Reenders added a match-high 21 digs from the CMU back row.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Thursday, when it hosts Toledo in a 7 p.m. match which will be broadcast by Ball State Sports Link. Fans can watch the match live and free on BallStateSports.com, or on Comcast Indiana 81 (state-wide) and Cardinal Vision (on campus).
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @SteveShondell on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
