Friday, February 12
Muncie, IN
5 p.m.
Ball State University
5-3,5-3MAC
0
vs
3
Bowling Green
8-0,8-0MAC
1
2
3
F
Bowling Green
25
25
25
3
Ball St.
15
12
21
0
Photo by: Samantha Blankenship (Ball State Creative Services)
WVB Looks To Learn From Friday's Setback To BGSU
February 12, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - It was another tough night for the Ball State women's volleyball team which suffered a second straight 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-21) setback to league-leading Bowling Green Friday night at Worthen Arena.
However, head coach Kelli Miller Phillips sees this as an opportunity to spark the program for another 2019-type run to end the regular season.
"There are so many moving parts to this season, so its easy to get distracted," Phillips said. "I added another layer to that, and I am going to take responsibility and make sure when we come in this coming week we are going to focus on what's important from a volleyball aspect.
"It's not just about when you walk onto the court. All the preparation you do prior to that is what's important. The team learned that lesson the hard way, but we still have a lot of season to go. If we have to learn a tough one now, hopefully that can be the spark we need for the rest of the season."
In Friday's outing against the Mid-American Conference-leading Falcons (8-0, 8-0 MAC), the Cardinals (5-3, 5-3 MAC) once again found themselves in an early 2-0 hole. But the team did not give up, holding even at the 20-20 mark in the third. Unfortunately, BGSU scored five of the final six points to end Ball State's comeback bid.
Offensively, senior outside Kia Holder (Valparaiso, Ind./Morgan Township) was able to rebound from Thursday's rough outing and tie for match-high honors with 14 kills. Seven of those kills came in the third set as she tried to rally the Cardinals back in the match.
Junior defensive specialist Cathryn Starck (Modesto, Calif./Beyer) led the Ball State defense with 11 digs, including six and a perfect 8-for-8 reception percentage as libero in the final set rally attempt.
Freshman middle Lauren Gilliland (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater) led the Cardinals at the net with four total blocks, while smashing five kills and hitting .444 (5-1-9).
Ball State also got a spark off the bench from freshman outside Cait Snyder (Hamilton, Ind./Angola) who finished the match with a career-high five kills and a .625 (5-0-8) attack percentage.
Unfortunately, the Falcons offense dictated the pace of the match, hitting an impressive .281 (47-11-128) against a Ball State defense which led the league in opponent attack percentage entering the series.
However, Ball State was able to nearly double its hitting percentage from Thursday night, connecting at a .143 (34-16-126) clip. Redshirt sophomore setter Esther Grussing ( Willmar, Minn./Willmar) led the charge there with 21 assists. Freshman setter Kate Vinson (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) added seven assists and 10 digs.
"As a staff in practice this week, we have to do a better job of creating an environment where its super competitive, where we are focusing on Ball State volleyball fundamental of serve, pass and defense," Phillips added. "I think everyone just needs to have a reset and figure out, who do I need to be, who does the team need me to be. Then, go into this next week with fresh eyes and do just that."
The Ball State women's volleyball team will look to rebound next Thursday (Feb. 18), when it welcomes Northern Illinois to Worthen Arena for a 7 p.m. first serve.
However, head coach Kelli Miller Phillips sees this as an opportunity to spark the program for another 2019-type run to end the regular season.
"There are so many moving parts to this season, so its easy to get distracted," Phillips said. "I added another layer to that, and I am going to take responsibility and make sure when we come in this coming week we are going to focus on what's important from a volleyball aspect.
"It's not just about when you walk onto the court. All the preparation you do prior to that is what's important. The team learned that lesson the hard way, but we still have a lot of season to go. If we have to learn a tough one now, hopefully that can be the spark we need for the rest of the season."
In Friday's outing against the Mid-American Conference-leading Falcons (8-0, 8-0 MAC), the Cardinals (5-3, 5-3 MAC) once again found themselves in an early 2-0 hole. But the team did not give up, holding even at the 20-20 mark in the third. Unfortunately, BGSU scored five of the final six points to end Ball State's comeback bid.
Offensively, senior outside Kia Holder (Valparaiso, Ind./Morgan Township) was able to rebound from Thursday's rough outing and tie for match-high honors with 14 kills. Seven of those kills came in the third set as she tried to rally the Cardinals back in the match.
Junior defensive specialist Cathryn Starck (Modesto, Calif./Beyer) led the Ball State defense with 11 digs, including six and a perfect 8-for-8 reception percentage as libero in the final set rally attempt.
Freshman middle Lauren Gilliland (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater) led the Cardinals at the net with four total blocks, while smashing five kills and hitting .444 (5-1-9).
Ball State also got a spark off the bench from freshman outside Cait Snyder (Hamilton, Ind./Angola) who finished the match with a career-high five kills and a .625 (5-0-8) attack percentage.
Unfortunately, the Falcons offense dictated the pace of the match, hitting an impressive .281 (47-11-128) against a Ball State defense which led the league in opponent attack percentage entering the series.
However, Ball State was able to nearly double its hitting percentage from Thursday night, connecting at a .143 (34-16-126) clip. Redshirt sophomore setter Esther Grussing ( Willmar, Minn./Willmar) led the charge there with 21 assists. Freshman setter Kate Vinson (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) added seven assists and 10 digs.
"As a staff in practice this week, we have to do a better job of creating an environment where its super competitive, where we are focusing on Ball State volleyball fundamental of serve, pass and defense," Phillips added. "I think everyone just needs to have a reset and figure out, who do I need to be, who does the team need me to be. Then, go into this next week with fresh eyes and do just that."
The Ball State women's volleyball team will look to rebound next Thursday (Feb. 18), when it welcomes Northern Illinois to Worthen Arena for a 7 p.m. first serve.
Team Stats
BGSU
BSU
Kills
47
34
Errors
11
16
Attempts
128
126
Hitting %
.281
.143
Points
60.5
41
Assists
44
34
Aces
4
1
Blocks
9.5
6
Game Leaders
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
DS / S
/ Women's VolleyballHomecoming // Cardinal Sinners! Presented by Gameday Spirit
Friday, October 17
Women's Volleyball // Midweek Hype Video
Friday, October 10
This Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Mike Uremovich, Lindsey Green & Jeff Mitchell
Thursday, October 09
Women's Volleyball // Wise and VanOort Reaction
Monday, September 22