Ball State University
Akron
WVB Tops Akron to Improve to 2-0 in MAC Play
September 27, 2015 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio - - In another Mid-American Conference thriller, the Ball State women's volleyball team remained perfect in league play with a 3-2 (19-25, 25-22, 17-25, 25-22, 15-9) victory at Akron Saturday night in Rhodes Arena.
In improving to 8-8 (2-0 MAC), the Cardinals picked up their second five-set win of the week and moved to 5-1 this season when going the distance. On Thursday, Ball State rallied from two sets down to open conference play with a 3-2 (13-25, 18-25, 26-24, 25-11, 15-10) victory at Toledo. Ball State's five five-set victories so far in 2015 are the most in a season since the 2010 squad went 7-1 on their way to winning the MAC regular season title under then first-year head coach Steve Shondell.
“Tonight's match was a classic see-saw battle,” Shondell, who is now in his sixth season at the Cardinals' head coach, said. “The pendulum kept swinging back and forth the entire night. Despite making three serving errors in the pivotal fifth set, the rest of our game was nearly spotless. We have had a history this season of starting slow and finishing strong, as we have won five of our six five-set matches, which is a tribute to the mental toughness of our team. We are pleased to win back-to-back road matches to begin MAC play this season, and look forward to improving each week and peaking at the MAC Tournament in late November.”
After the teams traded the first four sets, with the Zips (7-8 / 1-1 MAC) winning the odd and the Cardinals taking the even, it was only fitting the fifth and final frame was played to a 9-9 stalemate. However, one swing from Ball State senior middle Kelly Hopkins (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) completely changed the complexion of the match, starting by giving the Cardinals a 10-9 lead and forcing an Akron timeout.
Following the 75-second break, Ball State looked unstoppable, as a kill from senior setter Jenna Spadafora (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) and back-to-back blasts from redshirt junior outside Mackenzie Kitchel (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove/Cincinnati) pushed the Cardinals' lead to 13-9. Senior libero Kati Vasalakis (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) followed with back-to-back service ace, her only two of the night, to complete the Ball State victory.
Kitchel and freshman middle Emily Holland (Madison, Ind./Madison) tied for team-high honors with 12 kills apiece. Holland's 12 kills were a career-high, as was her .320 (12-4-25) attack percentage. Kitchel finished the night with a .235 (12-4-34) hitting effort and logged four digs.
Spadafora turned in another solid all-around effort, earning her seventh double-double of the season with a match-high 41 assists and 11 digs. She also smashed eight kills, hit .333 (8-2-18) and recorded five total blocks (two solo and three assists).
Hopkins would lead the Ball State defense with seven total blocks (three solo and four assists), while also chalking up six kills and a service ace. In the backcourt, Vasalakis led all players with 17 digs to go along with her match-ending service aces.
Despite being out-hit .179 (54-26-156) to .166 (54-28-157), Ball State managed to out-block (10.0 to 8.0) and out-dig (61 to 55) the Zips in the victory. Amanda Bedell led the Akron offense with 21 kills, while Dragana Micic recorded a team-best 14 digs.
The Ball State women's volleyball team opens the home portion of its 2015 MAC slate Friday, when it hosts Northern Illinois in a 7 p.m. match which will be broadcast live on ESPN3. The Cardinals will then help bring a close to Ball State's Saturday homecoming festivities with a 7 p.m. first serve versus Western Michigan.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @SteveShondell on Twitter.
