Friday, January 22
Muncie, IN
6 p.m.
Ball State University
1-0,1-0MAC
3
vs
0
Akron
0-1,0-1MAC
1
2
3
F
Akron
21
13
12
0
Ball St.
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Women's Volleyball Sweeps Akron in Season Opener
January 22, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- If there was any rust on the Ball State women's volleyball side of the net Friday night at Worthen Arena, it came off quickly as the Cardinals (1-0, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) opened the delayed 2020-21 season with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-12) sweep of Akron.
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In picking up its 10th straight win over a MAC opponent, Ball State turned in a dominating performance on both offense and defense, out-hitting the Zips (0-1, 0-1 MAC) by a .254 to .023 margin.
Under the direction of acting head coach Fritz Rosenberg, who is taking over the duties for head coach Kelli Miller Phillips who is currently on maternity leave, the Cardinals were able to spread the ball nicely thanks to the play of freshman setter Kate Vinson (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown).
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"Kate was pretty steady, the same as every day in practice," Rosenberg said. "That's how she plays and she was just herself. She had great serving, great defense, got some touches on some blocks and set a pretty good offense for her first time out."
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In leading the offense to a .254 rate of success, Vinson dished out a 36 assists and helped six different Cardinals get at least two kills each, while also scoring two of her own. She also tallied  eight digs and her first career service ace.
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"I thought it was really nice to have a bunch of the upperclassmen believe in me and it give me a lot of like confidence," Vinson said. "They really helped me be calm and steady throughout the match. I thought my hitters really helped me as well, setting them up."
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Offensively, senior outside hitter Kia Holder (Valparaiso, Ind./Morgan Township) did not miss a beat, registering a match-high 10 kills on 33 swings. She also tallied four total blocks, including the only solo block of the night for either squad.
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"I think we were just excited to get on the court," Holder said after the win. "It's been a while. It was fun to get back out there, have a crowd and go against different opponents, other than our team that we play against every day. So it was fun."
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Aside from Holder's 10 kills, sophomore opposite Natalie Mitchem (Bolingbrook, Ill./Boilingbrook) tallied eight markers, while sophomore outside hitter Natalie Risi (Clarkston, Mich./Notre Dame Preparatory) and sophomore middle Marie Plitt (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland) added seven each.
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Vinson's debut was not the only big one for a Ball State freshman, however, as middle Lauren Gilliland (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater) dominated at the net with nine total blocks. She also scored four kills and hit .364.
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In the backcourt, sophomore Maggie Huber (Loveland, Ohio/Ursuline Academy) led Ball State with 18 digs as the team's starting libero, while Risi finished the night with 14 in a solid all-around performance.
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"My takeaways for the night were our serving and passing," Rosenberg added. "I thought we were excellent in those two areas. That's what we hang our hat on. I think Akron is a really tough serving team, so to come out and hang with them in that game, that said a lot about where we're at in our training."
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The Cardinals and Zips will square off again Saturday at 6 p.m. in Worthen Arena. While general public attendance is currently prohibited at Ball State Athletics events, fans can still watch the game on ESPN+ or listen to the match on Sports Link Digital radio.
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In picking up its 10th straight win over a MAC opponent, Ball State turned in a dominating performance on both offense and defense, out-hitting the Zips (0-1, 0-1 MAC) by a .254 to .023 margin.
Under the direction of acting head coach Fritz Rosenberg, who is taking over the duties for head coach Kelli Miller Phillips who is currently on maternity leave, the Cardinals were able to spread the ball nicely thanks to the play of freshman setter Kate Vinson (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown).
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CARDS WIN??
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) January 23, 2021
3-0 over Akron in 2020-21 season & @MACSports opener
Congrats Coach Rosenberg, well done tonight??#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/a3GJ94trdt
"Kate was pretty steady, the same as every day in practice," Rosenberg said. "That's how she plays and she was just herself. She had great serving, great defense, got some touches on some blocks and set a pretty good offense for her first time out."
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1?? match ... 1?? win for acting head coach Fritz Rosenberg.
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) January 23, 2021
Here are his thoughts on the win, the play of @kate_vinson0051 and his takeaways from the night#ChirpChirp #WeFly pic.twitter.com/p16FeMRbGu
In leading the offense to a .254 rate of success, Vinson dished out a 36 assists and helped six different Cardinals get at least two kills each, while also scoring two of her own. She also tallied  eight digs and her first career service ace.
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"I thought it was really nice to have a bunch of the upperclassmen believe in me and it give me a lot of like confidence," Vinson said. "They really helped me be calm and steady throughout the match. I thought my hitters really helped me as well, setting them up."
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Freshman setter @kate_vinson0051 talks about her debut, the confidence gained from tonight and her takeaways from the night
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) January 23, 2021
She led the offense to a .254 attack percentage w/36 assists#ChirpChirp #WeFly pic.twitter.com/duELQQHOu6
Offensively, senior outside hitter Kia Holder (Valparaiso, Ind./Morgan Township) did not miss a beat, registering a match-high 10 kills on 33 swings. She also tallied four total blocks, including the only solo block of the night for either squad.
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"I think we were just excited to get on the court," Holder said after the win. "It's been a while. It was fun to get back out there, have a crowd and go against different opponents, other than our team that we play against every day. So it was fun."
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With a match-high 10 kills, senior @Kia_holder picked up right where she left off last season
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) January 23, 2021
Here are her thoughts on being back on the court and the play of her freshman setter @kate_vinson0051 #ChirpChirp #WeFly pic.twitter.com/n3SSGJzq6L
Aside from Holder's 10 kills, sophomore opposite Natalie Mitchem (Bolingbrook, Ill./Boilingbrook) tallied eight markers, while sophomore outside hitter Natalie Risi (Clarkston, Mich./Notre Dame Preparatory) and sophomore middle Marie Plitt (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland) added seven each.
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Vinson's debut was not the only big one for a Ball State freshman, however, as middle Lauren Gilliland (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater) dominated at the net with nine total blocks. She also scored four kills and hit .364.
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In the backcourt, sophomore Maggie Huber (Loveland, Ohio/Ursuline Academy) led Ball State with 18 digs as the team's starting libero, while Risi finished the night with 14 in a solid all-around performance.
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"My takeaways for the night were our serving and passing," Rosenberg added. "I thought we were excellent in those two areas. That's what we hang our hat on. I think Akron is a really tough serving team, so to come out and hang with them in that game, that said a lot about where we're at in our training."
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The Cardinals and Zips will square off again Saturday at 6 p.m. in Worthen Arena. While general public attendance is currently prohibited at Ball State Athletics events, fans can still watch the game on ESPN+ or listen to the match on Sports Link Digital radio.
Team Stats
UA
BSU
Kills
29
40
Errors
26
9
Attempts
131
122
Hitting %
.023
.254
Points
39
55
Assists
28
38
Aces
3
5
Blocks
7
10
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's VolleyballOH / OPP
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS / S
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