Thursday, November 4
Muncie, IN
6:30 p.m.
Ball State University
23-3,13-1MAC
3
vs
1
Central Michigan
11-15,5-9MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Central Mich.
21
20
25
22
1
Ball St.
25
25
21
25
3
Volleyball Tops CMU 3-1 in Series Opener
November 04, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Libero Maggie Huber was all over the court Thursday night, collecting a season-high 26 digs to help the Ball State women's volleyball team extend its current winning streak to 13 matches with a 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22) victory over Central Michigan.
Â
"Maggie was spectacular tonight," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said after the win. "She was really focused, locked in, and made some unbelievable one-handed digs on some hard-hit swings. She was a spark for us at a lot of different moments. I can't say enough about her effort tonight. She was the linchpin to us staying the course and winning a tough match."
Â
With the victory, the Cardinals improve to 23-3 on the year, including a 13-1 mark in Mid-American Conference play. BSU is also 10-0 in matches in Worthen Arena heading into tomorrow night's regular season home finale and senior night.
Â
Ball State started the match strong, jumping out to a 10-3 lead early in the opening set on a dump kill from setter Megan Wielonski. While the Chippewas (11-15; 5-9 MAC) were able to battle back within two, at 20-18, the Cardinals rallied off the next four points thanks in part to a solo block and back-to-back kills from middle Marie Plitt. Outside Jaclyn Bulmahn closed the set with a kill of her own at 25-21.
Â
The second set was tight early, with the teams battling to an 8-8 stalemate. However, the Cardinals put together a 7-2 run and were up 15-11 at the media timeout following a kill from opposite Natalie Mitchem. Again, CMU would pull within two at 20-18, only to have the Cardinals power through at the end to win the set 25-20 on a block from middle Lauren Gilliland and outside Natalie Risi.
Â
Unfortunately, Ball State was unable to earn a fifth consecutive sweep as CMU took the third frame. The score was tied at 10-10 before a five-point run gave the guests a 15-10 edge at the media timeout. Ball State would get no closer than three the rest of the way.
Â
The Cardinals bounced back in the fourth, however, surging out to a 12-4 advantage. Three of the final four points of the run came off the arm of Risi. CMU would battle back within one, at 17-16, but after losing a challenge on the play, the Cardinals would get the next two points courtesy of back-to-back Plitt kills to force a timeout.Â
Â
Defensive specialist Cathryn Starck would get a huge ace out of the break, and the Cardinals would hold even from there, winning the set 25-22 on a monster block from Gilliland and Mitchem.
Â
In addition to the spectacular defensive play from Huber in the backcourt, Ball State was able to win the fight at the net with nine total blocks. The defense slowed down CMU's attack just enough to limit it to a .252 (62-21-163) hitting mark to earn the match victory.
Â
On offense, BSU once again turned in a solid all-around effort, hitting above its season average at .281 (60-17-153). Four players logged double-digit kills in the match, led by 15 from Bulmahn. Plitt and Risi added 13 apiece, while Mitchem finished the night with 11.
Â
"Us having the versatility to spread the ball around and not rely on just one attacker was key tonight," Phillips said. "Central Michigan is #1 in the MAC in backcourt defense for a reason. They dig a ton of balls and make a lot of great defensive plays. We battled hard, did not get discouraged, and ultimately relied on our balance which allowed us to be successful in the end."Â
Â
Wielonski added 14 digs to her 49 assists for her 15th double-double of the season. She also served up two more aces, raising her MAC-leading total to 44 on the year, which is also in the top 10 nationally. Joining Huber and Wielonski in double figures in the backcourt was defensive specialist Havyn Gates with 10.
Â
Savannah Thompson led the Central Michigan attack with 14 kills, while Anna Erickson added 13 and Linnea Willer scored 12. CMU libero Aly Gurtiza was credited with a team-high 19 digs.
Â
The two teams will battle again tomorrow night in a 6:30 p.m. first serve at Worthen Arena. Following the match, the Cardinals will honor its four seniors: Bulmahn, Grussing, Starck and manager Elizabeth Wessel.
Â
"Maggie was spectacular tonight," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said after the win. "She was really focused, locked in, and made some unbelievable one-handed digs on some hard-hit swings. She was a spark for us at a lot of different moments. I can't say enough about her effort tonight. She was the linchpin to us staying the course and winning a tough match."
Â
With the victory, the Cardinals improve to 23-3 on the year, including a 13-1 mark in Mid-American Conference play. BSU is also 10-0 in matches in Worthen Arena heading into tomorrow night's regular season home finale and senior night.
Â
Ball State started the match strong, jumping out to a 10-3 lead early in the opening set on a dump kill from setter Megan Wielonski. While the Chippewas (11-15; 5-9 MAC) were able to battle back within two, at 20-18, the Cardinals rallied off the next four points thanks in part to a solo block and back-to-back kills from middle Marie Plitt. Outside Jaclyn Bulmahn closed the set with a kill of her own at 25-21.
Â
The second set was tight early, with the teams battling to an 8-8 stalemate. However, the Cardinals put together a 7-2 run and were up 15-11 at the media timeout following a kill from opposite Natalie Mitchem. Again, CMU would pull within two at 20-18, only to have the Cardinals power through at the end to win the set 25-20 on a block from middle Lauren Gilliland and outside Natalie Risi.
Â
Unfortunately, Ball State was unable to earn a fifth consecutive sweep as CMU took the third frame. The score was tied at 10-10 before a five-point run gave the guests a 15-10 edge at the media timeout. Ball State would get no closer than three the rest of the way.
Â
The Cardinals bounced back in the fourth, however, surging out to a 12-4 advantage. Three of the final four points of the run came off the arm of Risi. CMU would battle back within one, at 17-16, but after losing a challenge on the play, the Cardinals would get the next two points courtesy of back-to-back Plitt kills to force a timeout.Â
Â
Defensive specialist Cathryn Starck would get a huge ace out of the break, and the Cardinals would hold even from there, winning the set 25-22 on a monster block from Gilliland and Mitchem.
Â
In addition to the spectacular defensive play from Huber in the backcourt, Ball State was able to win the fight at the net with nine total blocks. The defense slowed down CMU's attack just enough to limit it to a .252 (62-21-163) hitting mark to earn the match victory.
Â
On offense, BSU once again turned in a solid all-around effort, hitting above its season average at .281 (60-17-153). Four players logged double-digit kills in the match, led by 15 from Bulmahn. Plitt and Risi added 13 apiece, while Mitchem finished the night with 11.
Â
"Us having the versatility to spread the ball around and not rely on just one attacker was key tonight," Phillips said. "Central Michigan is #1 in the MAC in backcourt defense for a reason. They dig a ton of balls and make a lot of great defensive plays. We battled hard, did not get discouraged, and ultimately relied on our balance which allowed us to be successful in the end."Â
Â
Wielonski added 14 digs to her 49 assists for her 15th double-double of the season. She also served up two more aces, raising her MAC-leading total to 44 on the year, which is also in the top 10 nationally. Joining Huber and Wielonski in double figures in the backcourt was defensive specialist Havyn Gates with 10.
Â
Savannah Thompson led the Central Michigan attack with 14 kills, while Anna Erickson added 13 and Linnea Willer scored 12. CMU libero Aly Gurtiza was credited with a team-high 19 digs.
Â
The two teams will battle again tomorrow night in a 6:30 p.m. first serve at Worthen Arena. Following the match, the Cardinals will honor its four seniors: Bulmahn, Grussing, Starck and manager Elizabeth Wessel.
Team Stats
CMU
BSU
Kills
62
60
Errors
21
17
Attempts
163
153
Hitting %
.252
.281
Points
73
74
Assists
61
58
Aces
3
5
Blocks
8
9
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
15
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
13
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's VolleyballOH / OPP
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballThis Week in Ball State Sports // Mike Uremovich, Ally Becki, Qua Ashley & Kelli Miller Phillips
Thursday, September 18
Women's Volleyball // 2025 First Practice Recap
Tuesday, August 05
Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses the NCAA vs. House Settlement
Tuesday, July 01
Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses NCAA vs. House Settlement & Bill Richards Thank You
Friday, June 27