Monday, November 22
Muncie, Ind.
4:30 p.m.
Ball State University
28-3,17-1MAC
3
vs
1
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No. 4 Western Michigan
19-12,11-7MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Western Mich.
23
25
18
11
1
Ball St.
25
21
25
25
3
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Ball State Downs WMU, Advances to MAC Championship Match
November 22, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. – Playing in front of a raucous crowd, the top-seeded Ball State women's volleyball team defeated No. 4 seed Western Michigan 3-1 (25-23, 21-25, 25-18, 25-11) in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Championship Monday night inside Worthen Arena.
"When you're playing in the MAC tournament, you know it's going to be a battle and every single one that you win is something to celebrate," Cardinals head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "I'm proud of how the girls finished. I didn't think we started out quite like ourselves for a little bit. We had some nerves to us and that's to be expected in a tournament-type environment. But we finished playing in our rhythm and flow. It's nice to get that win under our belt."
Having swept the Broncos (19-12) in both matchups during the regular season, the Cardinals (28-3) endured a pair of tight sets to begin the match as each team won one stanza in sets that were decided by a combined six points. In those two sets, there were a total of 25 tie scores and 10 lead changes.
However, it was all Ball State across the final two frames as the Cardinals won both sets and allowed just 29 total points.
"Going into this game, we had the mentality of playing us and focusing on our side of the net," setter Megan Wielonski said. "We had some nerves coming out in the first sets, but we took it under control and executed very well."
Wielonski had another impressive outing with 45 assists, nine digs, seven kills and three block assists.
Natalie Mitchem led four Cardinals in double-digit kills with 12. Marie Plitt had 11, while Jaclyn Bulmahn and Lauren Gilliland had 10 apiece.
At the net, Ball State recorded 10 blocks, which marked the 10th time the Cardinals have posted at least 10 rejections in a match this season.
As a team, Ball State touted a 0.968 serve percentage with five aces, including four by Natalie Risi.
"Our serving was very strong tonight," Wielonski added. "Keeping the pressure on them and their serve receive was huge for us. We took the game from the service line, and everything found its place from there."
With the victory, the Cardinals increased their winning streak to 18 and, more importantly, advanced to the MAC Championship title match Wednesday night against either No. 2 seed Bowling Green or No. 3 seed Ohio.
Despite its record, Ball State expects a hard-fought battle for the annual conference tournament crown.
"We approached the MAC tournament as a brand-new season," Phillips said. "Once the Toledo match ended, we were totally focused on our record being back to 0-0. We have a good understanding that anybody's game when tournament time hits. Out girls did a great job of coming in with that mentality. We haven't looked at the first time we played them or anything like that. We've been solely focused on what's ahead of us and taking it one match at a time."
The championship match is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET inside Worthen Arena.
"When you're playing in the MAC tournament, you know it's going to be a battle and every single one that you win is something to celebrate," Cardinals head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "I'm proud of how the girls finished. I didn't think we started out quite like ourselves for a little bit. We had some nerves to us and that's to be expected in a tournament-type environment. But we finished playing in our rhythm and flow. It's nice to get that win under our belt."
Having swept the Broncos (19-12) in both matchups during the regular season, the Cardinals (28-3) endured a pair of tight sets to begin the match as each team won one stanza in sets that were decided by a combined six points. In those two sets, there were a total of 25 tie scores and 10 lead changes.
However, it was all Ball State across the final two frames as the Cardinals won both sets and allowed just 29 total points.
"Going into this game, we had the mentality of playing us and focusing on our side of the net," setter Megan Wielonski said. "We had some nerves coming out in the first sets, but we took it under control and executed very well."
Wielonski had another impressive outing with 45 assists, nine digs, seven kills and three block assists.
Natalie Mitchem led four Cardinals in double-digit kills with 12. Marie Plitt had 11, while Jaclyn Bulmahn and Lauren Gilliland had 10 apiece.
At the net, Ball State recorded 10 blocks, which marked the 10th time the Cardinals have posted at least 10 rejections in a match this season.
As a team, Ball State touted a 0.968 serve percentage with five aces, including four by Natalie Risi.
"Our serving was very strong tonight," Wielonski added. "Keeping the pressure on them and their serve receive was huge for us. We took the game from the service line, and everything found its place from there."
With the victory, the Cardinals increased their winning streak to 18 and, more importantly, advanced to the MAC Championship title match Wednesday night against either No. 2 seed Bowling Green or No. 3 seed Ohio.
Despite its record, Ball State expects a hard-fought battle for the annual conference tournament crown.
"We approached the MAC tournament as a brand-new season," Phillips said. "Once the Toledo match ended, we were totally focused on our record being back to 0-0. We have a good understanding that anybody's game when tournament time hits. Out girls did a great job of coming in with that mentality. We haven't looked at the first time we played them or anything like that. We've been solely focused on what's ahead of us and taking it one match at a time."
The championship match is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET inside Worthen Arena.
Team Stats
WMU
BSU
Kills
55
56
Errors
28
15
Attempts
162
156
Hitting %
.167
.263
Points
65
71
Assists
52
52
Aces
3
5
Blocks
7
10
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
7
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH / OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
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