Saturday, November 16
Muncie, IND
7:00 PM
Ball State University
17-11,11-5MAC
3
vs
1
Central Michigan
21-7,11-5MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Central Mich.
24
25
25
19
1
Ball St.
26
27
18
25
3
Volleyball Celebrates Senior Night With MAC West Title
November 16, 2019 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- It was senior night Saturday in Worthen Arena, and the Ball State women's volleyball team celebrated in a big way, claiming its third straight Mid-American Conference West Division Championship with a 3-1 (26-24, 27-25, 18-25, 25-19) victory over Central Michigan.
The Cardinals (17-11; 11-5 MAC) enter next week's MAC Volleyball Championships as the hottest team in the league, winning six straight to close out the regular season. With the run, Ball State also locked up the fourth seed in the event to earn a first-round bye into Friday's 4:30 p.m. quarterfinal match.
"Central Michigan was running on all cylinders and we knew we were going to be in for a battle tonight," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "We came ready to play, ready to battle, and it's awesome to come out with another MAC West Division title."
The Chippewas (21-7; 11-5 MAC) didn't leave Worthen Arena empty handed, however, as they share the divisional championship with the Cardinals. CMU also claimed the second overall seed in the next week's MAC Championship by winning a three-way tiebreaker which also included tournament host Bowling Green (17-12; 11-5 MAC) in the middle.
While Ball State's seniors stole the show early, with the senior presentation coming prior to Saturday's contest, it was junior Kia Holder who came up with another huge match to guide the Cardinals to the victory. Holder finished the contest with a match-high 19 kills and added a career-best five total blocks in another clutch late-season performance.
Overall, it was another big team effort in the win, as eight different Ball State players recorded at least three kills, while 10 players earned at least three digs.
"Our strength all year has been out depth and versatility," Phillips said. "On any given night, I feel every single player on my roster could be a starter for any team in the MAC. My challenge is figuring out which pieces are going to put it together to make the most out of each night. The best part is the team has just kept believing and been great teammates. If it's not their night to start, they've stayed ready, come in and sparked us when we've needed it."
Going back to the seniors, libero Kate Avila continued her assault on the program's all-time digs record with a match-high 28 in the contest. The effort raised her career total to 2,170 and leaves her 104 digs shy of breaking the program record of 2,273 set by Stephanie Keller (2001-04).
Senior setter Amber Seaman collected her second consecutive double-double, and fifth of the season, with 29 assists and 17 digs. Along with redshirt freshman Esther Grussing, she helped the Cardinals finish the night with a .200 (59-22-185) attack percentage.
Senior defensive specialist Anna Jensen helped turn the tide late in the opening set, coming off the bench to serve with CMU holding set point at 24-23. The move paid off, as her strong serving allowed the Cardinals to score the next three points to win the frame.
Senior middle Sydnee VanBeek turned in another big night at the net, tying for team-high honors with six total blocks. She also smashed seven kills and chipped in three digs in the win.
"Our seniors were what they've been for us since they arrived on campus, complete rocks." Phillips said. "I thought this was one of the best matches Kate has played in her career and that's what you want to be doing, playing your best volleyball at the end of the season. Amber has been battling sickness and just gutted it out and competed. She served tough and made key plays defensively. Anna entered the match in some really tough situations and just hung right in there. She served tough under pressure and made some tough digs. Sydnee was a huge blocking presence for us again tonight."
Other key contributors in the match were led by freshman middle Marie Plitt who scored eight kills, recorded six total blocks, collected four digs and added a service ace.
Freshman outside Natalie Risi was third on the team with 15 digs, while freshman defensive specialist Maggie Huber added 13 digs. Freshmen opposites Allison Hamaker and Natalie Mitchem chipped in with seven and six kills, respectively, while freshman MyKel Ivy came in on the outside in the fourth set and proceeded to smash five kills in the frame.
Kalina Smith led the CMU offense with 17 kills, while Savannah Thompson scored 15 kills and added a team-high 24 digs.
The Ball State women's volleyball team will now wait to see who it will be battling in Friday's MAC Championship quarterfinal match at BGSU's Stroh Center, as the Cardinals face the winner of Thursday's 4:30 p.m. opening round match between fifth-seeded Ohio and eighth-seeded Kent State.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @VBCoachMiller on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
MAC WEST CHAMPS!@BallStateWVB with a huge senior night win Saturday at Worthen!#WeFly l #ChirpChirp pic.twitter.com/2HCn70HTpw
— Ball State Sports (@BallStateSports) November 17, 2019
The Cardinals (17-11; 11-5 MAC) enter next week's MAC Volleyball Championships as the hottest team in the league, winning six straight to close out the regular season. With the run, Ball State also locked up the fourth seed in the event to earn a first-round bye into Friday's 4:30 p.m. quarterfinal match.
"Central Michigan was running on all cylinders and we knew we were going to be in for a battle tonight," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "We came ready to play, ready to battle, and it's awesome to come out with another MAC West Division title."
#MACtion West Division CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 17, 2019
With tonight's win over CMU, #YourCardinals win their THIRD CONSECUTIVE @MACSports West Division Championship! #WeFly | #ChirpChirp pic.twitter.com/pruhurjheL
The Chippewas (21-7; 11-5 MAC) didn't leave Worthen Arena empty handed, however, as they share the divisional championship with the Cardinals. CMU also claimed the second overall seed in the next week's MAC Championship by winning a three-way tiebreaker which also included tournament host Bowling Green (17-12; 11-5 MAC) in the middle.
While Ball State's seniors stole the show early, with the senior presentation coming prior to Saturday's contest, it was junior Kia Holder who came up with another huge match to guide the Cardinals to the victory. Holder finished the contest with a match-high 19 kills and added a career-best five total blocks in another clutch late-season performance.
Overall, it was another big team effort in the win, as eight different Ball State players recorded at least three kills, while 10 players earned at least three digs.
"Our strength all year has been out depth and versatility," Phillips said. "On any given night, I feel every single player on my roster could be a starter for any team in the MAC. My challenge is figuring out which pieces are going to put it together to make the most out of each night. The best part is the team has just kept believing and been great teammates. If it's not their night to start, they've stayed ready, come in and sparked us when we've needed it."
Going back to the seniors, libero Kate Avila continued her assault on the program's all-time digs record with a match-high 28 in the contest. The effort raised her career total to 2,170 and leaves her 104 digs shy of breaking the program record of 2,273 set by Stephanie Keller (2001-04).
Senior setter Amber Seaman collected her second consecutive double-double, and fifth of the season, with 29 assists and 17 digs. Along with redshirt freshman Esther Grussing, she helped the Cardinals finish the night with a .200 (59-22-185) attack percentage.
Senior defensive specialist Anna Jensen helped turn the tide late in the opening set, coming off the bench to serve with CMU holding set point at 24-23. The move paid off, as her strong serving allowed the Cardinals to score the next three points to win the frame.
Senior middle Sydnee VanBeek turned in another big night at the net, tying for team-high honors with six total blocks. She also smashed seven kills and chipped in three digs in the win.
"Our seniors were what they've been for us since they arrived on campus, complete rocks." Phillips said. "I thought this was one of the best matches Kate has played in her career and that's what you want to be doing, playing your best volleyball at the end of the season. Amber has been battling sickness and just gutted it out and competed. She served tough and made key plays defensively. Anna entered the match in some really tough situations and just hung right in there. She served tough under pressure and made some tough digs. Sydnee was a huge blocking presence for us again tonight."
Other key contributors in the match were led by freshman middle Marie Plitt who scored eight kills, recorded six total blocks, collected four digs and added a service ace.
Freshman outside Natalie Risi was third on the team with 15 digs, while freshman defensive specialist Maggie Huber added 13 digs. Freshmen opposites Allison Hamaker and Natalie Mitchem chipped in with seven and six kills, respectively, while freshman MyKel Ivy came in on the outside in the fourth set and proceeded to smash five kills in the frame.
Kalina Smith led the CMU offense with 17 kills, while Savannah Thompson scored 15 kills and added a team-high 24 digs.
The Ball State women's volleyball team will now wait to see who it will be battling in Friday's MAC Championship quarterfinal match at BGSU's Stroh Center, as the Cardinals face the winner of Thursday's 4:30 p.m. opening round match between fifth-seeded Ohio and eighth-seeded Kent State.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @VBCoachMiller on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
Team Stats
CMU
BSU
Kills
62
59
Errors
28
22
Attempts
196
185
Hitting %
.173
.200
Points
77
78
Assists
59
53
Aces
6
4
Blocks
9
15
Game Leaders
Kills
19
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
8
Aces
1
Blocks
6
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOPP
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH / DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB
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