Friday, October 8
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7 p.m.
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Akron
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Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Volleyball Blanks Akron in Friday #MACtion
October 08, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio - - For the first two weekends of Mid-American Conference play, the opening match had gone the distance for the Ball State women's volleyball team.
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That was not the case Friday night in Akron, as the Cardinals (14-3; 4-1 MAC) picked up their fourth straight win in dominating fashion, sweeping the Zips 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-16) in Rhodes Arena.
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"The team was self-motivated tonight," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "We have been working very hard and staying very focused in practice. Tonight, we came out and played composed and executed."
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Ball State was all business Friday, keeping its foot on the gas to earn a dominating three-set sweep. In addition to a solid all-around effort on offense, which saw the Cardinals hit .286 (39-11-98) as a team, BSU's defense was on full display as it averaged 17.67 digs and 2.67 blocks per set.
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"We put a ton of emphasis on defense this week and I think it really showed," Phillips said. "Risi and Huber really set the tone in set one by making play after play. That really gave us defensive confidence."
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In the backcourt, libero Natalie Risi led all players with 17 digs, while adding a spectacular kill in the opening set. Risi chased down a ball that was well out of play, bumping it back across the net and surprising the Zips who helplessly watched the ball fall between four players.
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Defensive specialist Maggie Huber added 12 digs and was a perfect 10-for-10 in service reception. She also served up Ball State's lone ace in the win.
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Leading the way on offense was opposite Natalie Mitchem with a team-high 10 kills. She also hit .381 (10-2-21) while adding five digs and a pair of block assists in a strong defensive effort of her own.
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"Mitchem was swinging aggressive and quick tonight," Phillips added. "She wants to be a go-to player for us, and really stepped up tonight."
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Outside attacker Jaclyn Bulmahn was second on the team with eight kills, while middles Lauren Gilliland and Marie Plitt scored six and five, respectively. Gilliland also led all players with four total blocks, while Plitt had three.
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The pair entered the weekend ranked first and second in the MAC in attack percentage, with Gilliland finishing the match at .400 (6-2-10) and Plitt at .235 (5-1-17).
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Finally, once again leading the Ball State offense was Megan Wielonski with a match0best 30 assists. She also scored a kill, tallied a pair of blocks, and earned pair of digs.
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Overall, the Cardinals limited the Akron offense to a .058 (33-26-120) attack percentage, led by 12 kills from Faith Johnson. Taylor Sharrits paced the Zips backcourt with 14 digs.
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The Ball State women's volleyball team will have a long drive and a quick turnaround tomorrow, as it travels to Buffalo for a 4 p.m. first serve. The Bulls enter the match with a 9-8 (2-3 MAC) record after suffering a straight set loss to Toledo Friday evening.
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That was not the case Friday night in Akron, as the Cardinals (14-3; 4-1 MAC) picked up their fourth straight win in dominating fashion, sweeping the Zips 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-16) in Rhodes Arena.
Â
"The team was self-motivated tonight," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "We have been working very hard and staying very focused in practice. Tonight, we came out and played composed and executed."
Â
Ball State was all business Friday, keeping its foot on the gas to earn a dominating three-set sweep. In addition to a solid all-around effort on offense, which saw the Cardinals hit .286 (39-11-98) as a team, BSU's defense was on full display as it averaged 17.67 digs and 2.67 blocks per set.
Â
"We put a ton of emphasis on defense this week and I think it really showed," Phillips said. "Risi and Huber really set the tone in set one by making play after play. That really gave us defensive confidence."
Â
In the backcourt, libero Natalie Risi led all players with 17 digs, while adding a spectacular kill in the opening set. Risi chased down a ball that was well out of play, bumping it back across the net and surprising the Zips who helplessly watched the ball fall between four players.
Â
Defensive specialist Maggie Huber added 12 digs and was a perfect 10-for-10 in service reception. She also served up Ball State's lone ace in the win.
Â
Leading the way on offense was opposite Natalie Mitchem with a team-high 10 kills. She also hit .381 (10-2-21) while adding five digs and a pair of block assists in a strong defensive effort of her own.
Â
"Mitchem was swinging aggressive and quick tonight," Phillips added. "She wants to be a go-to player for us, and really stepped up tonight."
Â
Outside attacker Jaclyn Bulmahn was second on the team with eight kills, while middles Lauren Gilliland and Marie Plitt scored six and five, respectively. Gilliland also led all players with four total blocks, while Plitt had three.
Â
The pair entered the weekend ranked first and second in the MAC in attack percentage, with Gilliland finishing the match at .400 (6-2-10) and Plitt at .235 (5-1-17).
Â
Finally, once again leading the Ball State offense was Megan Wielonski with a match0best 30 assists. She also scored a kill, tallied a pair of blocks, and earned pair of digs.
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Overall, the Cardinals limited the Akron offense to a .058 (33-26-120) attack percentage, led by 12 kills from Faith Johnson. Taylor Sharrits paced the Zips backcourt with 14 digs.
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The Ball State women's volleyball team will have a long drive and a quick turnaround tomorrow, as it travels to Buffalo for a 4 p.m. first serve. The Bulls enter the match with a 9-8 (2-3 MAC) record after suffering a straight set loss to Toledo Friday evening.
Team Stats
BSU
UA
Kills
39
33
Errors
11
26
Attempts
98
120
Hitting %
.286
.058
Points
48
41
Assists
37
31
Aces
1
7
Blocks
8
1
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's VolleyballOH / OPP
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
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