Ball State University Athletics
Friday, August 30
Muncie, IND
10:00 AM
Ball State University
1-0
3
vs
0
UAB
0-1
1
2
3
F
UAB
29
23
20
0
Ball St.
31
25
25
3
Volleyball Opens Season Strong, Sweeping UAB Before Falling To USF in Five
August 30, 2019 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State women's volleyball team opened the 2019 season on a strong note Friday morning in Worthen Arena, sweeping UAB by a score of 3-0 (31-29, 25-23, 25-20) in the opening match of the Ball State Tournament.
Unfortunately, the Cardinals (1-1) could not complete a miraculous comeback in the tournament finally later in the day, as they rallied from down 2-0 to force a fifth set before ultimately falling to USF by a score of 3-2 (25-20, 25-23, 18-25, 21-25, 15-13).
In the morning victory over the Blazers (0-2), the Cardinals were led by a trio of players with 11 kills. Senior Sydnee VanBeek had the best overall attacking numbers with 11 kills and a .318 (11-4-22) attack percentage, while freshmen Natalie Risi and Natalie Mitchem both shined in their collegiate debuts by matching the 11 kills.
Gallery: (8/30/2019) Women's Volleyball vs. UAB
Risi finished the match hitting .259 (11-4-27), while Mitchem connected for a .133 (11-7-30) rate of success. On defense, senior libero Kate Avila led all players with 16 digs.
Mitchem turned in an even better performance in the nightcap versus the Bulls (2-0), racking up a career-high 21 kills and hitting an even .200 (21-10-55). Sophomore Reece Kral added 10 kills, while both junior Kia Holder and freshman Marie Plitt connected for nine.
Defensively, Risi collected a team-best 17 digs to go along with five kills against USF, while Avila followed with 16 digs. At the net, Plitt led the Ball State defense with six total blocks, including her first career solo stuff.
For their efforts over the two matches, Ball State's Mitchem and Avila were named to the all-tournament team. Mitchem collected 32 kills for a 4.00 kills-per-set average over the two contests, while Avila corralled 32 digs for a 4.00 digs-per-set average.
The Ball State women's volleyball team will have a quick turnaround, as it travels to Purdue for a 7 p.m. first serve on Tuesday.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @VBCoachMiller on Twitter.
COMPLETE BALL STATE TOURNAMENT ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
MVP - Lindsey Pliapol, USF
Jac'cara Walker, USF
Peyton Thompson, USF
Natalie Mitchem, Ball State
Kate Avila, Ball State
Kiana Mack, UAB
Nine newcomers?
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) August 30, 2019
No problem. pic.twitter.com/o8qW4Px7mr
Unfortunately, the Cardinals (1-1) could not complete a miraculous comeback in the tournament finally later in the day, as they rallied from down 2-0 to force a fifth set before ultimately falling to USF by a score of 3-2 (25-20, 25-23, 18-25, 21-25, 15-13).
In the morning victory over the Blazers (0-2), the Cardinals were led by a trio of players with 11 kills. Senior Sydnee VanBeek had the best overall attacking numbers with 11 kills and a .318 (11-4-22) attack percentage, while freshmen Natalie Risi and Natalie Mitchem both shined in their collegiate debuts by matching the 11 kills.
Risi finished the match hitting .259 (11-4-27), while Mitchem connected for a .133 (11-7-30) rate of success. On defense, senior libero Kate Avila led all players with 16 digs.
Mitchem turned in an even better performance in the nightcap versus the Bulls (2-0), racking up a career-high 21 kills and hitting an even .200 (21-10-55). Sophomore Reece Kral added 10 kills, while both junior Kia Holder and freshman Marie Plitt connected for nine.
Defensively, Risi collected a team-best 17 digs to go along with five kills against USF, while Avila followed with 16 digs. At the net, Plitt led the Ball State defense with six total blocks, including her first career solo stuff.
For their efforts over the two matches, Ball State's Mitchem and Avila were named to the all-tournament team. Mitchem collected 32 kills for a 4.00 kills-per-set average over the two contests, while Avila corralled 32 digs for a 4.00 digs-per-set average.
The Ball State women's volleyball team will have a quick turnaround, as it travels to Purdue for a 7 p.m. first serve on Tuesday.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @VBCoachMiller on Twitter.
COMPLETE BALL STATE TOURNAMENT ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
MVP - Lindsey Pliapol, USF
Jac'cara Walker, USF
Peyton Thompson, USF
Natalie Mitchem, Ball State
Kate Avila, Ball State
Kiana Mack, UAB
Team Stats
UAB
BSU
Kills
42
47
Errors
16
22
Attempts
108
120
Hitting %
.241
.208
Points
54.0
57.0
Assists
39
40
Aces
4
6
Blocks
8.0
4.0
Game Leaders
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP / MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
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