Ball State University
3-1
IUPUI
2-2
Women?s Volleyball Suffers 3-0 Setback At IUPUI
September 03, 2015 | Women's Volleyball
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - - The Ball State women's volleyball team opened the road portion of its 2015 slate with a 3-0 (29-27, 25-19, 25-18) setback at in-state rival IUPUI Wednesday evening in The Jungle.
In a tightly contested opening set, the Cardinals (3-1) had the first four chances to close the frame starting at 24-23, but were answered by the Jaguars (2-2) on each occasion. Unfortunately, IUPUI would capitalize on its first attempt to end the set and carry over the momentum into the final two frames.
“The four missed opportunities on set point in the first game really came back to haunt us,” Ball State head coach Steve Shondell said. “IUPUI played amazing tonight and we could not match their defensive intensity.”
Senior outside hitter Alex Fuelling (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont/Morehead State), the reigning Mid-American Conference West Division Offensive Player of the Week, and senior middle Kelly Hopkins (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) led the Ball State offense with 10 kills apiece. Fuelling would fall just shy of her fourth consecutive kill/dig double-double of the season by adding eight digs, while Hopkins finished the night with a team-best 12.5 points after adding five block assists.
Sophomore right side Jessica Lindsey (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) continued her solid play at the net, leading the Balls State defense with six total blocks. Lindsey, who recorded just nine total blocks in 21 matches last season, currently paces the Cardinals defense with 18 blocks and a 1.29 blocks-per-set average through four matches this season.
Ball State senior libero Kati Vasalakis (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) led all players with 19 digs and successfully passed all 17 serves she faced for a perfect reception percentage.
Overall, IUPUI limited the Ball State attack to a .186 (45-21-129) rate of success, while connecting at a clip of .282 (46-13-117). The Jaguars also held a slim 52 to 50 edge in team digs, while out-blocking the Cardinals 11.0 to 8.0.
IUPUI's Kaitlyn Hickey led all players with 14 kills, while teammate Kelly Wachtel added 10. Courtney Halter held down the Jaguars' backcourt with a team-best 14 digs.
The Ball State women's volleyball team continues its season-opening road trip Friday at the Lipscomb Invitational with matches versus the host Lady Bisons (12:30 p.m. CT) and Florida Atlantic (5 p.m. CT) . The Cardinals close the two-day event Saturday versus Pepperdine (12:30 p.m. CT).
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @SteveShondell on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
