Ball State University
0-7
South Dakota
5-1
Goodsel Blasts 17 Kills in Volleyball’s Loss to South Dakota
September 03, 2016 | Women's Volleyball
OMAHA, Neb. - - Despite a career-high 17 kills from sophomore outside hitter Brooklyn Goodsel (Corry, Pa./Corry Area), the Ball State women's volleyball team ended play in the Omaha Classic presented by Akserben Suites with a 3-1 (25-13, 21-25, 26-24, 25-19) loss to South Dakota Saturday afternoon at Baxter Arena.
With her 17 kills Saturday, Goodsel finished the Omaha Classic with double-digit kills in all three tournament matches. It marked the first time in her career Goodsel has blasted 10-or-more kills in three consecutive matches. In addition, she paced all players Saturday with a season-high .484 (17-2-331) attack percentage. Over the course of the two-day tournament, Goodsel led the Ball State offense with 43 kills and hit .350 (43-8-100).
After recovering from a shaky start in the opening set, the Cardinals (0-7) looked poised to move ahead 2-1 after winning the second frame and pulling ahead 24-19 in the third. Unfortunately, the Coyotes (5-1) rattled off seven straight points to take the third and controlled play in the fourth to seal the victory.
Ball State sophomore middle hitter Emily Holland (Madison, Ind./Madison) and sophomore outside hitter Ellie Dunn (Sugar Grove, Ill./Kaneland) also turned in their best performances of the Omaha Classic versus South Dakota, blasting 13 and 10 kills, respectively. Both also finished the match with season-high attack percentages, as Holland connected for a .400 (13-3-25) rate of success and Dunn connected at a .320 (10-2-25) clip.
Rounding out Ball State's top performers on offense was redshirt sophomore Meg Starling (Hopkinsville, Ky./University Heights) who tied her career-high with seven kills, while leading the Cardinals defense with four total blocks (one solo and three assists).
Behind the offensive performances of its four sophomore attackers, Ball State finish the match with a season-best .231 (59-22-160) attack percentage.
In the Ball State backcourt, freshman libero Kate Avila (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) and senior outside hitter Mackenzie Kitchel (Center Grove, Ind./Greenwood) tied for team-high honors with 16 digs. Freshman setter Amber Seaman (Carmel, Ind./Brebeuf) added 10 digs, to go along with 28 assists, for her fourth career double-double.
Redshirt junior outside hitter Sabrina Mangapora (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) also secured 10 digs to give Ball State four defenders in double-digits for just the second time this season.
Junior setter McCallen Kennedy (Boca Raton, Fla./North Broward Preparatory School) also had a strong performance Saturday, dishing out a career-high 13 assists and scoring a career-high six digs.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns home Wednesday for another in-state rivalry match as Butler visits Worthen Arena for a scheduled 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 -
