Saturday, August 24
Fort Wayne, IN
2:00 PM
Ball State University
at
Purdue Fort Wayne (Exhibition)
Photo by: Brad Caudill - Ball State Athletics
Volleyball Heads To Purdue Fort Wayne For Saturday Exhibition Match
August 23, 2019 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - For the last 16 days, members of the Ball State women's volleyball program have seen the same 18 faces on the court in preparation for the upcoming 2019 season. That will change Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., when the Cardinals travel up I-69 to battle in-state rival Purdue Fort Wayne in an exhibition match at Arnie Ball Court.
"The biggest thing we are looking forward to about Saturday is playing somebody else," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "We've been training really hard, but there comes a time when you're ready and itching to play somebody and really get to see what your strengths and weaknesses are. We're seeing what we look like in our gym, but it's very different when you actually get to play an opponent."
Last year, the Cardinals relied on a senior-heavy roster to produce a 22-10 overall record, win the Mid-American Conference West Division Championship, advance to the semifinals of the MAC Tournament and earn an at-large bid into the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
While Ball State does return a pair of First Team All-MAC selections from a year ago in senior setter Amber Seaman and senior middle Sydnee VanBeek, the Cardinals also boast one of the nation's top recruiting classes with its nine-member incoming freshman class listed as one of the top 55 in the country according to PrepVolleyball.com.
Saturday's exhibition against the Mastodons, who tallied an 18-14 (8-8 Summit League) record last season, is a perfect opportunity to get BSU's nine newcomers some invaluable experience before next Friday's season-opener versus UAB.
"I'm looking forward to getting our freshman some experience, letting them be on the court in front of a real crowd with our jersey on," Phillips added. "That's always a great experience. I'm also looking forward to seeing how our senior leaders and our returners handle that environment, that leadership, and how they are going to get the rest of the team to continue to build upon all the hard work we've been doing."
When the Cardinals hit the court Saturday afternoon in Fort Wayne, you can count on one thing, they will be ready and excited to compete against some new faces.
"When we go to Fort Wayne this weekend, we will get to compete." Phillips said. "That's what I'm most excited about. Seeing how our team goes out and competes. To see where we are at and learn what we need to work on heading into the season opener next Friday."
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @VBCoachMiller on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
After seeing the same 18 faces in the gym for the past 16 days, we know one thing ...
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) August 23, 2019
We're excited to face some new competition!!!@VBCoachMiller chats about what she's looking forward to seeing in Saturday's 2p exhibition at Purdue Fort Wayne#ChirpChirp #WeFly #NCAAVB pic.twitter.com/V3lXTrpN79
"The biggest thing we are looking forward to about Saturday is playing somebody else," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "We've been training really hard, but there comes a time when you're ready and itching to play somebody and really get to see what your strengths and weaknesses are. We're seeing what we look like in our gym, but it's very different when you actually get to play an opponent."
Last year, the Cardinals relied on a senior-heavy roster to produce a 22-10 overall record, win the Mid-American Conference West Division Championship, advance to the semifinals of the MAC Tournament and earn an at-large bid into the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
While Ball State does return a pair of First Team All-MAC selections from a year ago in senior setter Amber Seaman and senior middle Sydnee VanBeek, the Cardinals also boast one of the nation's top recruiting classes with its nine-member incoming freshman class listed as one of the top 55 in the country according to PrepVolleyball.com.
Saturday's exhibition against the Mastodons, who tallied an 18-14 (8-8 Summit League) record last season, is a perfect opportunity to get BSU's nine newcomers some invaluable experience before next Friday's season-opener versus UAB.
"I'm looking forward to getting our freshman some experience, letting them be on the court in front of a real crowd with our jersey on," Phillips added. "That's always a great experience. I'm also looking forward to seeing how our senior leaders and our returners handle that environment, that leadership, and how they are going to get the rest of the team to continue to build upon all the hard work we've been doing."
When the Cardinals hit the court Saturday afternoon in Fort Wayne, you can count on one thing, they will be ready and excited to compete against some new faces.
"When we go to Fort Wayne this weekend, we will get to compete." Phillips said. "That's what I'm most excited about. Seeing how our team goes out and competes. To see where we are at and learn what we need to work on heading into the season opener next Friday."
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @VBCoachMiller on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
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