Friday, September 7
Muncie, IN
7:30 p.m.
Ball State University
5-3
3
vs
0
North Dakota State University
2-7
1
2
3
F
North Dakota State
10
21
16
0
Ball State
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Michael Hickey
Big Defensive Effort Leads Volleyball Past North Dakota State
September 07, 2018 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State women's volleyball team used a suffocating defense to score a straight set victory over North Dakota State in Friday's evening match of the Ball State Active Ankle Challenge in Worthen Arena.
In improving to 5-3 on the year, and 1-1 in its home tournament, the Cardinals defense limited the Bison (2-7) offense to a season-low -.018 (23-25-114) attack percentage in a 3-0 (25-10, 25-21, 25-16) victory.
"I like how we came back after a hard-fought match this morning," said head coach Kelli Miller. "Our defense had a great game plan and we executed well. Overall, I thought we had a good focus and hopefully, we can come back and do the same thing tomorrow."
Friday night's defensive effort marks the second time this season the Ball State defense has held an opponent to a negative attacking mark, as the Cardinals limited Grambling State to a -.061 (18-23-82) rate of success at last weekend's Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational hosted by Missouri State.
As good as the Cardinals were on defense, they played just as well on offense paced by another dominating performance from senior outside attacker Ellie Dunn. Dunn registered a match-high 18 kills, while adding 13 digs for her fifth double-double of the season.
From the middle, junior Sydnee VanBeek smashed nine kills and hit .600 (9-0-15), while redshirt senior Meg Starling tallied eight kills and a .375 (8-2-16) attack percentage. Overall, Ball State hit .232 (43-17-112) on the night, led by 33 assists from junior setter Amber Seaman.
"I thought both of our middles played at a really high level," Miller added. "They were a blocking presence and always in action in transition. When your middles are consistently driving in transition like they did tonight, it opens up your left side and right side to so many more opportunities."
In addition to Dunn's 13 digs, junior libero Kate Avila led all players with 16, while freshman defensive specialist Cathryn Starck was credited with a career-high 12.
At the net, Starling led all players with six total blocks and Dunn registered four to help BSU hold a 7-6 advantage in the category.
After suffering a 3-1 loss to Northern Iowa in Friday's opener, the Cardinals rebounded quickly, building an 11-4 edge in the opening set. Ball State controlled play the rest of the frame as well, winning 25-10 on a kill from Starling.
With the Cardinals leading 20-15 in the second set, the Bison mounted a comeback and looked to even the score at 21. However, a tremendous kick save from Seaman off a NDSU block kept the rally alive and senior outside Jessica Lindsay was able to convert the save to a kill to keep the Cardinals ahead 22-20. BSU went on to win the set 25-21 on a service ace from junior defensive specialist Anna Jensen.
The thrilling finish to the second shifted all the momentum to the Cardinals side, as Ball State pulled ahead 15-7 in the third and never looked back. Back-to-back kills from VanBeek eventually ended the set at 25-16 and the match at 3-0.
Allie Mauch racked up 11 kills to finish with team-high honors for the Bison, while Maggie Steffen collected a team-best 11 digs.
The Cardinals close play in the Ball State Active Ankle Challenge Saturday night, with a 7 p.m. first serve versus Indiana. Fans are encouraged to wear their black Ball State gear to the match to help #BlackOut the Hoosiers.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @VBCoachMiller on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
In improving to 5-3 on the year, and 1-1 in its home tournament, the Cardinals defense limited the Bison (2-7) offense to a season-low -.018 (23-25-114) attack percentage in a 3-0 (25-10, 25-21, 25-16) victory.
"I like how we came back after a hard-fought match this morning," said head coach Kelli Miller. "Our defense had a great game plan and we executed well. Overall, I thought we had a good focus and hopefully, we can come back and do the same thing tomorrow."
Friday night's defensive effort marks the second time this season the Ball State defense has held an opponent to a negative attacking mark, as the Cardinals limited Grambling State to a -.061 (18-23-82) rate of success at last weekend's Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational hosted by Missouri State.
As good as the Cardinals were on defense, they played just as well on offense paced by another dominating performance from senior outside attacker Ellie Dunn. Dunn registered a match-high 18 kills, while adding 13 digs for her fifth double-double of the season.
From the middle, junior Sydnee VanBeek smashed nine kills and hit .600 (9-0-15), while redshirt senior Meg Starling tallied eight kills and a .375 (8-2-16) attack percentage. Overall, Ball State hit .232 (43-17-112) on the night, led by 33 assists from junior setter Amber Seaman.
"I thought both of our middles played at a really high level," Miller added. "They were a blocking presence and always in action in transition. When your middles are consistently driving in transition like they did tonight, it opens up your left side and right side to so many more opportunities."
In addition to Dunn's 13 digs, junior libero Kate Avila led all players with 16, while freshman defensive specialist Cathryn Starck was credited with a career-high 12.
At the net, Starling led all players with six total blocks and Dunn registered four to help BSU hold a 7-6 advantage in the category.
After suffering a 3-1 loss to Northern Iowa in Friday's opener, the Cardinals rebounded quickly, building an 11-4 edge in the opening set. Ball State controlled play the rest of the frame as well, winning 25-10 on a kill from Starling.
With the Cardinals leading 20-15 in the second set, the Bison mounted a comeback and looked to even the score at 21. However, a tremendous kick save from Seaman off a NDSU block kept the rally alive and senior outside Jessica Lindsay was able to convert the save to a kill to keep the Cardinals ahead 22-20. BSU went on to win the set 25-21 on a service ace from junior defensive specialist Anna Jensen.
The thrilling finish to the second shifted all the momentum to the Cardinals side, as Ball State pulled ahead 15-7 in the third and never looked back. Back-to-back kills from VanBeek eventually ended the set at 25-16 and the match at 3-0.
Allie Mauch racked up 11 kills to finish with team-high honors for the Bison, while Maggie Steffen collected a team-best 11 digs.
The Cardinals close play in the Ball State Active Ankle Challenge Saturday night, with a 7 p.m. first serve versus Indiana. Fans are encouraged to wear their black Ball State gear to the match to help #BlackOut the Hoosiers.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @VBCoachMiller on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
Team Stats
NDSU
BSU
Kills
23
43
Errors
25
17
Attempts
114
112
Hitting %
-.018
.232
Points
31.0
54.0
Assists
21
38
Aces
2
4
Blocks
6.0
7.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
18
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's VolleyballMH
/ Women's VolleyballMH
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