Friday, November 11
Muncie, Ind.
7:00 PM
Ball State University
13-16 (9-6MAC)
3
vs
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Western Michigan
10-18 (5-10MAC)
1
2
3
4
F
Western Michigan
21
18
25
14
1
Ball State
25
25
12
25
3
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Strong Middle Play Leads Women’s Volleyball Past WMU
November 11, 2016 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Thanks to strong play from its middles, the Ball State women's volleyball team controls its own destiny in the chase for the final first-round bye in next week's Mid-American Conference Tournament after claiming a 3-1 (25-21, 25-18, 12-25, 25-14) victory over Western Michigan Friday night in Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals, who improve to 13-16 (9-6 MAC) with the win, are currently tied in the battle for the fourth seed with Bowling Green (9-6 MAC) and could lock up the spot and bye with a win over Northern Illinois Saturday night.
The Cardinals hold the tiebreaker over the Falcons by virtue of a head-to-head win. Toledo (8-6 MAC), who held the edge over BSU and BGSU for the spot entering the weekend, sits one match back after falling to the Huskies in straight sets Friday.
"It was really nice to get off to a good start," first-year head coach Kelli Miller said about Friday's match. "Our points of emphasis this week were getting off to a good start and maintaining a consistent level of play throughout each set. Tonight, minus set three, I thought we were able to do both. I think that was the biggest difference for us tonight."
The Cardinals took Miller's points to heart from the opening whistle, jumping out to a 7-1 lead in the opening set. Redshirt sophomore middle Avery Devoe (Canton, Mass./Canton) was a big part of the run, blasting a kill to open the match and adding two more over the next seven points.
While the Broncos (10-18; 5-10 MAC) fought back within one point at 22-21, the Cardinals were able to score the final three points thanks to another kill and a frame-ending block assist from Devoe. Devoe finished the set with five kills and a block assist.
The second set saw reigning MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week freshman middle Sydnee VanBeek (St. John, Ind./Illiana Christian) take charge as she scored Ball State's first three points with two kills surrounding a solo block in a 3-1 run. Later in the set, another VanBeek marker gave the Cardinals a 17-13 advantage and helped setup a strong serving run from sophomore defensive specialist Carly Cappello (Whiting, Ind./Bishop Noll Institute) who deposited back-to-back aces to push the Cardinals ahead 20-13.
Ball State went on to win the frame 25-18 on a blast from the team's lone senior Mackenzie Kitchel (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove). VanBeek led all players with five kills in the set and notched a pair of blocks.
After dropping the third set 25-12, the Cardinals found themselves trailing 4-2 to open the fourth. However, a blast from redshirt junior outside Sabrina Mangapora (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) and a block from Kitchel and Devoe turned the tide for Ball State which used the momentum to pull ahead 19-6. The Cardinals went on to win the frame 25-14 and take the match in four sets.
VanBeek led the Ball State attack with a career-high 13 kills and finished the match hitting .444 (13-1-27). She also recorded four total blocks, including a pair of solo stuffs. It was the second consecutive match VanBeek has led the Ball State offense in kills, and the third straight match she has hit .400-or-better.
Devoe finished the night second on the squad with nine kills and secured a match-best six total blocks (one solo and five assists). Devoe has led the Cardinals in total blocks a team-high 12 times this season, including each of the last two matches.
In the backcourt, four Cardinals collected double-digit digs versus WMU led by 25 from freshman libero Kate Avila (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown). Sophomore right side Brooklyn Goodsel (Corry, Pa./Corry Area) was second on the squad with 14 digs, to go along with six kills, three total blocks and a pair of aces.
"Our defense was incredible tonight," Miller added. "I could not have been more pleased with the entire back line defense. We were making more plays tonight than the entire season. I give them a lot of credit for the way they practiced this week and I thought their effort translated instantly into tonight's match. It was fantastic to see, and if we are able to repeat that week in and week out, I think tonight was just a glimpse of how good they can be."
Junior setter McCallen Kennedy (Boca Raton, Fla./North Broward Preparatory School) was next with 13 digs, to go along with 35 assists for her third career double-double. Kennedy led the Ball State offense to a .160 (45-20-156) attack percentage for the night, while recording three kills of her own and a service ace.
Rounding out Ball State's top defenders was sophomore defensive specialist Lauren Schreiner (East Amherst, N.Y./Williamsville North) with 11 digs.
Overall, the Ball State defense limited Western Michigan to a .097 (47-31-165) attack percentage thanks in part to 80 team digs and 10.0 team blocks.
The Ball State women's volleyball team closes the 2016 regular season Saturday with a 7p.m. first serve versus MAC West Division leader Northern Illinois. Following the match, which will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN App, the Cardinals will recognize senior outside attacker Kitchel and senior manager Nolan Brand.
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 -
The Cardinals, who improve to 13-16 (9-6 MAC) with the win, are currently tied in the battle for the fourth seed with Bowling Green (9-6 MAC) and could lock up the spot and bye with a win over Northern Illinois Saturday night.
The Cardinals hold the tiebreaker over the Falcons by virtue of a head-to-head win. Toledo (8-6 MAC), who held the edge over BSU and BGSU for the spot entering the weekend, sits one match back after falling to the Huskies in straight sets Friday.
"It was really nice to get off to a good start," first-year head coach Kelli Miller said about Friday's match. "Our points of emphasis this week were getting off to a good start and maintaining a consistent level of play throughout each set. Tonight, minus set three, I thought we were able to do both. I think that was the biggest difference for us tonight."
The Cardinals took Miller's points to heart from the opening whistle, jumping out to a 7-1 lead in the opening set. Redshirt sophomore middle Avery Devoe (Canton, Mass./Canton) was a big part of the run, blasting a kill to open the match and adding two more over the next seven points.
While the Broncos (10-18; 5-10 MAC) fought back within one point at 22-21, the Cardinals were able to score the final three points thanks to another kill and a frame-ending block assist from Devoe. Devoe finished the set with five kills and a block assist.
The second set saw reigning MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week freshman middle Sydnee VanBeek (St. John, Ind./Illiana Christian) take charge as she scored Ball State's first three points with two kills surrounding a solo block in a 3-1 run. Later in the set, another VanBeek marker gave the Cardinals a 17-13 advantage and helped setup a strong serving run from sophomore defensive specialist Carly Cappello (Whiting, Ind./Bishop Noll Institute) who deposited back-to-back aces to push the Cardinals ahead 20-13.
Ball State went on to win the frame 25-18 on a blast from the team's lone senior Mackenzie Kitchel (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove). VanBeek led all players with five kills in the set and notched a pair of blocks.
After dropping the third set 25-12, the Cardinals found themselves trailing 4-2 to open the fourth. However, a blast from redshirt junior outside Sabrina Mangapora (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) and a block from Kitchel and Devoe turned the tide for Ball State which used the momentum to pull ahead 19-6. The Cardinals went on to win the frame 25-14 and take the match in four sets.
VanBeek led the Ball State attack with a career-high 13 kills and finished the match hitting .444 (13-1-27). She also recorded four total blocks, including a pair of solo stuffs. It was the second consecutive match VanBeek has led the Ball State offense in kills, and the third straight match she has hit .400-or-better.
Devoe finished the night second on the squad with nine kills and secured a match-best six total blocks (one solo and five assists). Devoe has led the Cardinals in total blocks a team-high 12 times this season, including each of the last two matches.
In the backcourt, four Cardinals collected double-digit digs versus WMU led by 25 from freshman libero Kate Avila (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown). Sophomore right side Brooklyn Goodsel (Corry, Pa./Corry Area) was second on the squad with 14 digs, to go along with six kills, three total blocks and a pair of aces.
"Our defense was incredible tonight," Miller added. "I could not have been more pleased with the entire back line defense. We were making more plays tonight than the entire season. I give them a lot of credit for the way they practiced this week and I thought their effort translated instantly into tonight's match. It was fantastic to see, and if we are able to repeat that week in and week out, I think tonight was just a glimpse of how good they can be."
Junior setter McCallen Kennedy (Boca Raton, Fla./North Broward Preparatory School) was next with 13 digs, to go along with 35 assists for her third career double-double. Kennedy led the Ball State offense to a .160 (45-20-156) attack percentage for the night, while recording three kills of her own and a service ace.
Rounding out Ball State's top defenders was sophomore defensive specialist Lauren Schreiner (East Amherst, N.Y./Williamsville North) with 11 digs.
Overall, the Ball State defense limited Western Michigan to a .097 (47-31-165) attack percentage thanks in part to 80 team digs and 10.0 team blocks.
The Ball State women's volleyball team closes the 2016 regular season Saturday with a 7p.m. first serve versus MAC West Division leader Northern Illinois. Following the match, which will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN App, the Cardinals will recognize senior outside attacker Kitchel and senior manager Nolan Brand.
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 -
Team Stats
WMU
BSU
Kills
47
45
Errors
31
20
Attempts
165
156
Hitting %
.097
.160
Points
59.0
61.0
Assists
41
41
Aces
2
6
Blocks
10.0
10.0
Game Leaders
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
6
Kills
6
Aces
2
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's VolleyballMH/OPP
/ Women's VolleyballOH/OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's VolleyballMH
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