Saturday, March 20
Muncie, IN
1 p.m.
Ball State University
8-10,8-10MAC
1
vs
3
Central Michigan
10-9,10-9MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Central Mich.
25
21
25
25
3
Ball St.
20
25
22
20
1
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
WVB Hangs Banner, Celebrates Senior Kia Holder
March 20, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Despite the outcome of Saturday's match, it was a festive day inside Worthen Arena for the Ball State women's volleyball team which hung a new banner and celebrated the program's lone senior, Kia Holder.
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"Kia is someone that gives it her all every day," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "She is such a hard worker, not just when it comes to playing volleyball, but off the court and in the weight room too. She is someone who enjoys working hard. She is one of those people who leads and is a real role model for our younger players on how to work hard. It has been a pleasure coaching someone like that."
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The day started with Ball State Athletics recognizing the accomplishments of the 2019 team which captured the 2019 Mid-American Conference Tournament championship to earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament.
That was done with the unveiling of the program's newest championship banner, which completed a section in the Worthen Arena rafters which now features nine such hangings.
After the match, the Cardinals (8-10, 8-10 Mid-American Conference) honored Holder with a touching tribute video including some of her closest teammates before the traditional on-court ceremony.
It was a fine COVID-era tribute to Holder who was the MVP of the 2019 MAC Tournament and has been the glue of the program both on and off the court this season.
"Kia's been a leader for our team since they arrived on campus," Phillips said. "It is hard being the only senior on a super young team, but she is just so genuine to them and has taken them under her wing. She hasn't separated herself as a senior, she has shown them that she is one of them. That has meant a lot to the entire group. They feel included and feel like a part of her journey."
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Including tonight's 3-1 (20-25, 25-21, 22-25, 20-25) loss to the Chippewas (10-9, 10-9 MAC) in which she led the Ball State offense with 11 kills, Holder has been Ball State's main offensive threat over the last 28 matches, smashing double digit kills in 21 of those matches.
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"I'm very blessed to be in the position I am in," Holder said. "But it's not over. I still have a couple more matches and we are going to do what we can to get where we can, if we have the opportunity to get into the tournament."
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She has also made strides in other aspects of her game this season, evolving into a well-rounded player. To go along with her team-leading 11 kills Saturday, Holder tied her career-high with six total blocks and added four digs.
"I have definitely been very, very blessed to be able to play this game, and at this level and on this team." Holder added. "All the girls that I have played with in the past, and the girls that are on the team now are just an absolute blessing to me."
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In addition to Holder's strong play Saturday, sophomore middle Marie Plitt did her best to send Holder out with a win in her final match inside Worthen Arena, tallying a career-high 11 total blocks. Plitt is the first Ball State player to log double-digit blocks in a match since Meg Starling collected 10 versus Idaho State on Oct. 28. 2017.
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Plitt also connected for nine kills and tallied five digs. Overall, Ball State finished the contest with a season-high 18 total blocks.
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In the backcourt, sophomore libero Natalie Risi was credited with a career-high 26 digs, pacing four players in double figures. Freshman defensive specialist Kate Vinson also collected a career-high 16 digs, while redshirt sophomore Esther Grussing earned her fourth double-double of the season with 31 assists and a career-high tying 15 digs.
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Savannah Thompson once again led the Central Michigan attack with 21 kills, while Chippewas libero Kendall Braate tallied a match-high 28 digs.
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The Ball State women's volleyball team closes the 2020-21 regular season next week with three matches. The first, a 7 p.m. first serve Tuesday at Miami.
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"Kia is someone that gives it her all every day," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "She is such a hard worker, not just when it comes to playing volleyball, but off the court and in the weight room too. She is someone who enjoys working hard. She is one of those people who leads and is a real role model for our younger players on how to work hard. It has been a pleasure coaching someone like that."
Â
The day started with Ball State Athletics recognizing the accomplishments of the 2019 team which captured the 2019 Mid-American Conference Tournament championship to earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Some ?? from our pre-match #BannerDay celebration courtesy of @sblankphoto & @BobbyDEllis
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) March 20, 2021
#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/YKh3Xt649B
That was done with the unveiling of the program's newest championship banner, which completed a section in the Worthen Arena rafters which now features nine such hangings.
After the match, the Cardinals (8-10, 8-10 Mid-American Conference) honored Holder with a touching tribute video including some of her closest teammates before the traditional on-court ceremony.
Happy #SeniorDay @Kia_holder
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) March 20, 2021
Thank you for everything you've done to help our program succeed on the court
... and for everything you've done to help your teammates, friends and volleyball family both on and off it
We ?? you Kia#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/JEAuaGrfrp
It was a fine COVID-era tribute to Holder who was the MVP of the 2019 MAC Tournament and has been the glue of the program both on and off the court this season.
"Kia's been a leader for our team since they arrived on campus," Phillips said. "It is hard being the only senior on a super young team, but she is just so genuine to them and has taken them under her wing. She hasn't separated herself as a senior, she has shown them that she is one of them. That has meant a lot to the entire group. They feel included and feel like a part of her journey."
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Including tonight's 3-1 (20-25, 25-21, 22-25, 20-25) loss to the Chippewas (10-9, 10-9 MAC) in which she led the Ball State offense with 11 kills, Holder has been Ball State's main offensive threat over the last 28 matches, smashing double digit kills in 21 of those matches.
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"I'm very blessed to be in the position I am in," Holder said. "But it's not over. I still have a couple more matches and we are going to do what we can to get where we can, if we have the opportunity to get into the tournament."
Â
She has also made strides in other aspects of her game this season, evolving into a well-rounded player. To go along with her team-leading 11 kills Saturday, Holder tied her career-high with six total blocks and added four digs.
"I have definitely been very, very blessed to be able to play this game, and at this level and on this team." Holder added. "All the girls that I have played with in the past, and the girls that are on the team now are just an absolute blessing to me."
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In addition to Holder's strong play Saturday, sophomore middle Marie Plitt did her best to send Holder out with a win in her final match inside Worthen Arena, tallying a career-high 11 total blocks. Plitt is the first Ball State player to log double-digit blocks in a match since Meg Starling collected 10 versus Idaho State on Oct. 28. 2017.
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Plitt also connected for nine kills and tallied five digs. Overall, Ball State finished the contest with a season-high 18 total blocks.
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In the backcourt, sophomore libero Natalie Risi was credited with a career-high 26 digs, pacing four players in double figures. Freshman defensive specialist Kate Vinson also collected a career-high 16 digs, while redshirt sophomore Esther Grussing earned her fourth double-double of the season with 31 assists and a career-high tying 15 digs.
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Savannah Thompson once again led the Central Michigan attack with 21 kills, while Chippewas libero Kendall Braate tallied a match-high 28 digs.
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The Ball State women's volleyball team closes the 2020-21 regular season next week with three matches. The first, a 7 p.m. first serve Tuesday at Miami.
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Team Stats
CMU
BSU
Kills
63
42
Errors
31
25
Attempts
193
168
Hitting %
.166
.101
Points
78
66
Assists
56
40
Aces
4
6
Blocks
11
18
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
11
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS / S
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