Ball State University
15-11, 9-4
Central Michigan
9-16, 4-9
Defense Helps Volleyball Earn 3-1 Win At CMU
November 08, 2014 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Behind one of its best defensive efforts of the season, the Ball State women's volleyball team opened its final regular season road swing with a 3-1 (25-23, 25-17, 21-25, 25-20) win at Central Michigan's McGuirk Arena Friday night.
Overall, the Cardinals' (15-11/9-4 Mid-American Conference) defense posted 13 total blocks and 65 digs to limit the Chippewas (9-16/4-9 MAC) attack percentage for the match.
“In the world of college athletics, any win on the road is special,” Ball State head coach Steve Shondell said. “We gave a great defensive effort tonight against a team that is always dangerous at home. After falling flat in set three, we responded by taking control of set four early and stayed mentally tough the rest of the way. Tonight's victory was a total team effort, with every Ball State player doing their part in the victory.”
Leading the defensive charge for Ball State was junior libero Kati Vasalakis (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) who tied a career-high with a match-best 24 digs. It marked the third time this season, and second in league play, in which Vasalakis has posted 24 digs. In addition, junior transfer defensive specialist Marissa Hine (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville/Belmont) recorded a Ball State career-high 11 digs for the second consecutive match.
Redshirt junior outside attacker Alex Fuelling (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont/Morehead State) led all players with a season-high 14 kills, while redshirt junior middle blocker Hayley Benson (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Bradley) continued her solid offensive play with 12 kills and a .300 (12-3-30) attack percentage. On the defensive side of the ball, Fuelling added 13 digs for her fifth double-double of the year, while Benson led all players with six total blocks.
Ball State redshirt junior middle attacker Kelly Hopkins (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) added nine kills and four blocks, while redshirt junior opposite Amanda Raker (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian/Butler) tallied seven kills and a career-high tying five total blocks.
Kaitlyn McIntyre and Jordan Bueter led the Central Michigan offense with 10 kills apiece, while Kristen Reenders collected a team-high 16 digs.
Ball State reached set point in the opening set at 24-20, only to see CMU rattle off three straight points to make the Cardinals sweat. However, junior setter Jenna Spadafora (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) set up redshirt freshman Sabrina Mangapora (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) for the frame-winning kill. Spadafora dished out 42 assists in the match, and guided the Ball State offense to a .193 (54-25-150) attacking mark. Mangapora finished the night with nine kills and three blocks.
The Cardinals scored the first seven points in the second set, and never looked back, winning the frame 25-17 on a kill from Hopkins. With the score of the third set tied at 16, CMU went on a 4-0 run and eventually won the frame 25-21. Ball State broke open a 15-15 tie in the fourth game with a three-point run, and went on to win the set 25-20 and the match at 3-1 on a CMU attack error.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Saturday, when it travels to Ypsilanti, Mich., for a 7 p.m. first serve against Eastern Michigan.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @SteveShondell on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
