Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
1-2
Fort Wayne
2-1
Volleyball Falters Late in Five Set Loss at Fort Wayne
August 28, 2016 | Women's Volleyball
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - - There is nothing like a rivalry match to bring the best competition out of two teams. Saturday night at Arnie Ball Court was no different, as the Ball State women's volleyball team dropped a hard-fought 3-2 (22-25, 22-25, 25-22, 28-26, 15-5) battle to Fort Wayne to close play in the Fort Wayne Invitational Sponsored by Hyatt Place.
In the fourth consecutive Battle of I-69 to go five sets, the Cardinals (0-3) put together their best all-around match of the year only to see their three-match winning streak over the Mastodons (2-1) snapped by a late surge from the hosts.
"Both programs have a tradition of scrapping, fighting and competing," first-year head coach Kelli Miller said. "When you have two teams out there playing for their lives, it's going to a good match. I think that's what both teams did tonight. Both teams were relentless. They were just a little bit better at the end than us, but we fought hard."
Following another five set thriller earlier in the day, Ball State found its rhythm early to take the first two sets by identical scores of 25-22. After dropping the opening set in its first two matches of the year, the Cardinals battled Fort Wayne to a 22-22 stalemate in Saturday's finale. Sophomore middle hitter Emily Holland (Madison, Ind./Madison) broke the tie with a kill, while senior Mackenzie Kitchel (Center Grove, Ind./Greenwood) followed up a Mastodons attack error with a frame-ending blast to the floor.
While the set-ending kills were big, the story of the opening set was Ball State's play at the net. The Cardinals finished the opening set with six total blocks, including four block assists from Holland and three from sophomore outside hitter Ellie Dunn (Sugar Grove, Ill./Kaneland).
With the Mastodons leading 7-6 in the second set, a kill from sophomore middle hitter Avery Devoe (Canton Mass./Canton) and a pair of service aces from freshman setter Amber Seaman (Carmel, Ind./Brebeuf) helped the Cardinals surge ahead 11-7. The Cardinals built a five-point advantage at 20-15, only to see Fort Wayne storm back and tie the score at 20. However, the Cardinals rebounded with the next three points and went on to win the frame 25-22 on kills from redshirt junior outside hitter Sabrina Mangapora (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) and Seaman.
Mangapora led the Ball State offense in the second set with seven of her match-high 17 kills, which was one off of her career high. Seaman also tallied two kills, but more importantly collected 10 digs to help her finish the match with a career-high 22 digs. The 22 digs are the most for a Ball State setter in the rally scoring era, topping the previous mark of 21 set by Jackie Seidel versus Toledo (Oct. 3, 2013). Seaman also dished out a career-high 45 assists to earn her third double-double of the season.
After falling in the third set, the Cardinals surged out to a 13-9 lead in the fourth frame. Fort Wayne battled back to tie the score at 16 and the teams played to a 22-22 tie from there. The Mastodons looked poised to end the set with the next two points, but kills from Kitchel and Holland kept Ball State alive. After a Cardinals serving error gave the hosts another chance to close the set, a kill from Holland and a solo block from Mangapora gave Ball State match point. Unfortunately, the Mastodons rattled off the final three points to force a deciding fifth set.
Fort Wayne carried over the momentum from its fourth set win, scoring the first three points of the fifth. Ball State answered with the next two points, including a service ace from sophomore defensive specialist Lauren Schreiner (East Amherst, N.Y./Williamsville North). However, the Mastodons retaliated with a four-point run and went on to win the set 15-5.
Dunn, who finished Saturday's night match with 12 kills, six block assists and three digs, was named to the Fort Wayne Invitational All-Tournament Team for her play over the two-day event. Holland scored a career-high 13 kills against Fort Wayne, while adding a season-best four block assists and a service ace.
In addition to Seaman's record-setting effort in the backcourt, local products Kate Avila (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) and Hannah Smith (Selma, Ind./Wapahani) added 10 digs apiece.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Wednesday, when it opens the home portion of its 2016 season with another rivalry match versus IUPUI. First serve is set for 7 p.m. with the match airing on ESPN3.
Prior to Wednesday's match, Ball State Athletics will host a retirement celebration for retired coach Steve Shondell, the former Burris Laboratory School and Ball State women's volleyball head coach. The reception, which will be held in the Worthen Arena Alumni Room, begins at 5 p.m. with refreshments and a brief ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The celebration concludes at 6:55 p.m., leading into Ball State's home opener versus IUPUI.
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 -
