Saturday, September 24
Muncie, Ind.
7:00 PM
Ball State University
3
vs
2
Eastern Michigan
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Volleyball Wins another Nail-Biter, Topping EMU 3-2
September 24, 2016 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - It took a complete team effort, but the Ball State women's volleyball team capitalized on its depth to cap the opening weekend of Mid-American Conference play with a 3-2 (25-20, 14-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15-11) victory over Eastern Michigan Saturday night in Worthen Arena.
A total of 15 different players saw action for the Cardinals (6-10 / 2-0 MAC) who picked up their second straight five-set victory to open league play. With the win, Ball State also snapped a three-match losing streak to the Eagles (6-9 / 1-1 MAC).
"Tonight was another testament to how tough the MAC season is going to be," first-year head coach Kelli Miller said. "Eastern Michigan battled hard and countered every time we grabbed the momentum. Things weren't always going our way, but we were able to claw back and find a way to win. That's great momentum and a great confidence builder going into next week."
In a night where nearly everyone on the roster contributed, it was the play of freshman middle hitter Sydnee VanBeek (St. John, Ind./Illiana Christian) which stood out for the Cardinals. VanBeek finished the night with career-highs of nine kills and a .412 (9-2-17) attack percentage, while also collecting a pair of blocks. Six of her kills came on eight swings in the third set, while she scored two more in the pivotal fifth frame.
The Cardinals looked ready to cruise to the fifth-set victory, jumping out to a 6-2 lead behind VanBeek's two markers. However, Eastern Michigan countered and took an 8-7 lead at the court switch.
The Eagles maintained the one-point lead at 9-8 before back-to-back kills from freshman right side Brooklyn Goodsel (Corry, Pa./Corry Area) shifted the momentum back to Ball State. Sophomore middle hitter Emily Holland (Madison, Ind./Madison) gave Ball State match point at 14-11, while a EMU attack error on the next rally ended the contest.
Goodsel, the reigning MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week, finished the match with her second consecutive double-double and her fourth of the season. She tied for team-high honors with 15 kills, while adding 10 digs and a perfect 10-for-10 reception percentage.
Redshirt junior outside hitter Sabrina Mangapora (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) also blasted 15 kills for the Cardinals, while adding three digs and a perfect reception percentage of her own on 18 attempts.
In the backcourt, Ball State freshman libero and reigning MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week Kate Avila (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) recorded a team-best 18 digs, while going 26-for-26 in serve receive.
Freshman defensive specialist Hannah Smith (Selma, Ind./Wapahani) earned 10 digs for her eight match in double figures, while freshman defensive specialist Anna Jensen (Carmel, Ind./Indianapolis Cathedral) also secured a career-high 10 digs.
Freshman setter Amber Seaman (Carmel, Ind./Brebeuf) fell just shy of her ninth double-double of the season with 41 assists and nine digs. She also scored six kills and hit .500 (6-1-10), while guiding the Ball State offense to a .178 (62-31-174) rate of success.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Thursday, when it hosts travel partner Toledo in another 7 p.m. first serve which will be carried live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN App.
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 -
A total of 15 different players saw action for the Cardinals (6-10 / 2-0 MAC) who picked up their second straight five-set victory to open league play. With the win, Ball State also snapped a three-match losing streak to the Eagles (6-9 / 1-1 MAC).
"Tonight was another testament to how tough the MAC season is going to be," first-year head coach Kelli Miller said. "Eastern Michigan battled hard and countered every time we grabbed the momentum. Things weren't always going our way, but we were able to claw back and find a way to win. That's great momentum and a great confidence builder going into next week."
In a night where nearly everyone on the roster contributed, it was the play of freshman middle hitter Sydnee VanBeek (St. John, Ind./Illiana Christian) which stood out for the Cardinals. VanBeek finished the night with career-highs of nine kills and a .412 (9-2-17) attack percentage, while also collecting a pair of blocks. Six of her kills came on eight swings in the third set, while she scored two more in the pivotal fifth frame.
The Cardinals looked ready to cruise to the fifth-set victory, jumping out to a 6-2 lead behind VanBeek's two markers. However, Eastern Michigan countered and took an 8-7 lead at the court switch.
The Eagles maintained the one-point lead at 9-8 before back-to-back kills from freshman right side Brooklyn Goodsel (Corry, Pa./Corry Area) shifted the momentum back to Ball State. Sophomore middle hitter Emily Holland (Madison, Ind./Madison) gave Ball State match point at 14-11, while a EMU attack error on the next rally ended the contest.
Goodsel, the reigning MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week, finished the match with her second consecutive double-double and her fourth of the season. She tied for team-high honors with 15 kills, while adding 10 digs and a perfect 10-for-10 reception percentage.
Redshirt junior outside hitter Sabrina Mangapora (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) also blasted 15 kills for the Cardinals, while adding three digs and a perfect reception percentage of her own on 18 attempts.
In the backcourt, Ball State freshman libero and reigning MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week Kate Avila (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) recorded a team-best 18 digs, while going 26-for-26 in serve receive.
Freshman defensive specialist Hannah Smith (Selma, Ind./Wapahani) earned 10 digs for her eight match in double figures, while freshman defensive specialist Anna Jensen (Carmel, Ind./Indianapolis Cathedral) also secured a career-high 10 digs.
Freshman setter Amber Seaman (Carmel, Ind./Brebeuf) fell just shy of her ninth double-double of the season with 41 assists and nine digs. She also scored six kills and hit .500 (6-1-10), while guiding the Ball State offense to a .178 (62-31-174) rate of success.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Thursday, when it hosts travel partner Toledo in another 7 p.m. first serve which will be carried live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN App.
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 -
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