Volleyball Drops Five Set Heartbreak to Ohio

Saturday, October 15

Muncie, Ind.

7:00 PM

Ball State University

8-14 (4-4MAC)

Ohio

10-10 (6-2MAC)

Ohio

Ball State

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

October 15, 2016 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score WVB Box Score - Ohio

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Despite five players scoring double digit kills for the first time since the 2013 season, the Ball State women's volleyball team suffered a 3-2 (25-11, 16-25, 20-25, 32-30, 15-11) setback to Ohio Saturday night in Mid-American Conference action at Worthen Arena.

After dropping the opening set, the Cardinals (8-14 / 4-4 MAC) rallied to win the next two and reached match-point in the fourth at 25-24 on a kill from redshirt junior outside hitter Sabrina Mangapora (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield). Unfortunately, the Bobcats (10-10 / 6-2 MAC) gritted out a 32-30 win in the fourth and went on to claim the fifth to pick up their third straight win in the series.

"I thought our defense played really well again tonight," first-year head coach Kelli Miller said. "I was also pleased with our balance on offense, as five different players scored double figure kills. It was our most balanced offensive effort of the season. We knew coming in Ohio had some really good offensive weapons and defending Salis was going to be tough. I thought we hung in there and extended rallies. Unfortunately, we couldn't come up with the big play we needed on our match-point attempts in the fourth set."

Overall, the Cardinals had three chances to close out the match in the fourth set. After Ohio answered the Mangapora kill with back-to-back points, the teams played to a 26-26 tie before a kill from freshman setter Amber Seaman (Carmel, Ind./Brebeuf) put the hosts ahead 27-26.

The Bobcats then charged back with two more markers, before a kill and service ace from redshirt sophomore middle Avery Devoe (Canton, Mass./Canton) pushed the Cardinals ahead 29-28. Back-to-back errors proved costly for the Cardinals, however, as Ohio regained the momentum and went on to win the set 32-30.

After falling behind 3-0 in the fifth, Ball State answered with four straight to take a brief lead at 4-3. Unfortunately, Ohio responded with a 6-2 run and controlled play the rest of the way to leave Muncie with the hard-fought victory.

Devoe provided the biggest offensive bright spot for the Cardinals, finishing the match with a career-high 11 kills and hitting for a match-best .450 (11-2-20) attack percentage. Sophomore middle Emily Holland (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) also turned in one of her best performances of the year with 12 kills and a .333 (12-4-24) rate of success.

Mangapora, sophomore outside hitter Ellie Dunn (Sugar Grove, Ill./Kaneland) and sophomore right side Brooklyn Goodsel (Corry, Pa./Corry Area) each finished the match with 13 kills to give Ball State five players in double figures for the first time since a 3-1 loss in the first round of the 2013 MAC Tournament to Western Michigan (Nov. 22).

On defense, freshman libero Kate Avila (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) secured a match-high 25 digs and was joined in double figures by sophomore defensive specialist Lauren Schreiner (East Amherst, N.Y./Williamsville North) with a season-high 16 and Seaman with 11. Devoe, Dunn and Holland led Ball State at the net with three block assists apiece.
With her 54 assists and 11 digs, Seaman notched her second double-double of the weekend and her 12th of the season. She also scored four kills and collected a block assists.

The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Friday, when it opens a five-match road swing with a 5 p.m. first serve at Bowling Green.

For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @VBCoachMiller on Twitter.

Ball State volleyball fans can purchase single match tickets (Adult - $6 / Youth - $4) by calling (888-BSU-TICKET) or visiting the Ball State's Stoops Buick/GMC Ticket Center inside Worthen Arena.

- BallStateSports.com -