Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
0-1
Youngstown State
1-0
Volleyball Opens Season with 3-0 Loss to Youngstown State
August 26, 2016 | Women's Volleyball
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - - The Ball State women's volleyball team fell short in a furious second set battle and could not sustain a late third set surge in a 3-0 (25-16, 34-32, 25-19) season-opening loss to Youngstown State Friday afternoon at the Fort Wayne Invitational Sponsored by Hyatt Place.
"The season is going to be a process and I saw us continue to work through the process today," first-year head coach Kelli Miller said. "It's a matter of us continuing to get better night in and night out. Youngstown State came out ready to play today and we didn't. We have to come back, learn from today and be better tomorrow."
After dropping the opening set 25-16, the Cardinals (0-1) found themselves trailing 19-14 in the second. However, a strong service run from sophomore opposite Brooklyn Goodsel (Corry, Pa./Corry Area) helped the Cardinals claw within one at 19-18. Moments later, sophomore outside hitter Ellie Dunn (Sugar Grove, Ill./Kaneland) found the floor with one of her team-high 10 kills to even the score at 23.
The Penguins (1-0) were the first to reach set point and served to win the frame three times, only to be answered on each occasion. Following a Goodsel kill to knot the score at 26, the Cardinals lone senior Mackenzie Kitchel (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) deposited one of her seven kills to give Ball State its first set point. The hosts on the scoreboard had four chances to win, with two set up by kills from freshman setter Amber Seaman (Carmel, Ind./Brebeuf). Unfortunately, Youngstown State answered each time and took a 31-30 lead on a Sarah Varcolla service ace.
Kitchel would keep the Cardinals alive one more time, while a block from Goodsel and redshirt sophomore Meg Starling (Hopkinsville, Ky./University Heights) gave Ball State another chance to win at 32-31. Goodsel and Starling looked to have ended the frame with another block, but the Penguins defense came up with a crucial save to keep the rally alive. Youngstown State went on to win the point and the following two to take the set 34-32.
"We ran out of subs late in the second set, but we battled and passed well enough to stay in and get out of the rotation," Miller said. "We just couldn't get that critical point when we needed it. We kept siding out, but we were not getting the plays in transition we needed. It was good that we battled, but when we have that many opportunities we need to find a way to win."
After playing to a 12-12 tie in the third set, the Cardinals found themselves trailing 20-15 later in the stanza. After not seeing action in the first two sets, redshirt junior Sabrina Mangapora (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) broke a Ball State timeout with a kill and back-to-back service aces bring her squad within two at 20-18. That was as close as the Cardinals would get however, as Youngstown State scored five of the final six points to win the frame 25-19.
"Some of the younger players stepped up and played really consistent today," Miller added. "Sabrina also got a chance to come back and was really impressive in her limited time in the third set. She came out and gave us a spark. It was good to see her get back out there after missing last season due to injury."
In her collegiate debut, Seaman guided the Ball State offense to a .190 (34-15-100) rate of success, smashed four kills and ranked second in the match with 11 digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Lauren Schreiner (East Amherst, N.Y./Williamsville North) led all players with 13 digs which were four shy of her career high.
The Ball State women's volleyball team closes play in the Fort Wayne Invitational Saturday with matches versus Murray State (10 a.m.) and the host Mastodons (7 p.m.). The Cardinals' home opener will be Aug. 31, when IUPUI makes the trek up I-69 for a 7 p.m. first serve on ESPN3.
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 (Adult - $6 / Youth - $4) or season tickets (Adult - $39 / Youth - $25) by calling (888-BSU-TICKET) or visiting the Ball State's Stoops Buick/GMC Ticket Center inside Worthen Arena.
- BallStateSports.com -
