Top Stories of 2019-20: WVB MAC Tournament Champions

While the 2019-20 year of competition may have been cut short by COVID-19, there were still plenty of accomplishments to celebrate in Ball State Athletics.

Through much discussion, BallStateSports.com has identified the top storylines of the year. We will unveil each of them one-by-one in the coming days.

The stories will be revealed in chronological order, starting with the fall season.

Women's Volleyball Wins MAC Tournament

Entering a pivotal Halloween night showdown with Mid-American Conference West Division rival Toledo, the Ball State women's volleyball program was battling to stay alive in the race to qualify for the 2019 MAC Tournament.

The Cardinals had lost three straight matches, to fall to 5-5 in league play, and were just one setback away from dropping out of the top eight in the MAC standings. Only the top eight teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the tournament.

However, that "Spooktacular" night in Muncie saw one of the most nail-biting, yet exhilarating wins in program history. With the contest tied at two sets apiece, the Cardinals were able to survive six Toledo match points to eek out the fifth set, by a score of 23-21, to earn the victory.

[RECAP] Thanks to all the fans who came out for our "Chirp or Treat" Spooktacular

... U helped us scare up a THRILLING & BONE CHILLING 3-2 win over Toledo

We couldn't have done it without your ??-powered enthusiasm!!!

??: https://t.co/xK9cmYdmIB #ChirpChirp #WeFly #BallState pic.twitter.com/R2BfCaHTsq
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 1, 2019

It was a win that changed the trajectory of the season for the young Ball State squad, which saw eight freshman contribute on the year, and sparked one of the most impressive winning streaks in program history.

The Cardinals went on to claim victory in the next five matches to finish the regular season as MAC West Division Co-Champions with an 11-5 league record. The six-match winning streak to close conference play also helped Ball State earn the fourth seed in the tournament and secure a first-round bye in the event.

… but Ball State's run would not stop there…

The Cardinals opened the 2019 MAC Tournament with a 3-1 win over perennial league powerhouse Ohio in quarterfinal action. Despite facing the league's top blocking team in the Bobcats for its tournament opener, the Ball State offense could not be stopped as it connected for a .344 (67-15-151) attack percentage in the victory … RECAP

[RECAP] Another complete team effort = 7?th straight win and a trip to the @MACSports Championship Semifinals

We hit .344 as a team, w/9 players earning at least 1 kill and 10 collecting at least 1 dig

??: https://t.co/9rPcBZHico #ChirpChirp #WeFly #MACtion pic.twitter.com/x97o3VTtll
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 23, 2019

In the semifinals, the Cardinals drew top-seeded and four-time defending MAC Regular Season Champion Miami. Facing a team it had not beaten in each of the last four seasons, Ball State battled for an impressive 3-1 win to advance to the MAC Tournament championship match for the first time since 2005. It was also a special night for senior setter Amber Seaman who claimed her first-ever (collegiate or high school) win over her younger sister Morgan, who was a junior setter for the RedHawks … RECAP

[RECAP] This one was BIG!!!@BallStateWVB earned its 1st win over Miami since 2015 to earn a berth in the CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH of the @MACSports Volleyball Championship

We play for the #MACtion Title tomorrow at 4:30p

??: https://t.co/PLOv2nLdYR #ChirpChirp #WeFly #Onward pic.twitter.com/BBRkjvsVJq
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 24, 2019

The following night, Ball State completed its run to its first MAC Tournament title since 2002 with a hard-fought 3-2 win over tournament host Bowling Green. In an extremely hostile environment at the Stroh Center, the Cardinals snapped the Falcons' five-match winning streak by blitzing them 15-5 in a nearly flawless fifth set … RECAP

MAC CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/DIDbYSUSI9
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 24, 2019

The 2019 MAC Tournament Champions took the nation's 13th-longest active winning streak (nine matches) into the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship, only to suffer a 3-0 setback at fifth-seeded Nebraska. The Huskers would go on to advance all the way to the Regional Finals (round of eight).

Other Top Stories from 2019-20
June 28 – Men's Golfers Make Opening Statement at Golfweek Event
June 29 – Football Wins Pair Of Rivalry Trophies
June 30 – Rife Leads Cardinals To Record-Breaking Debut Season

Top Stories of 2019-20: WVB MAC Tournament Champions

Players Mentioned

Amber Seaman

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