Saturday, September 18
Muncie, IN
3 p.m.
Ball State University
10-2,0-0MAC
3
vs
2
Northern Kentucky
4-5,0-0Horizon
1
2
3
4
5
F
Northern Ky.
19
26
22
25
13
2
Ball St.
25
24
25
21
15
3
Photo by: Michael Hickey
Volleyball Completes Weekend Sweep of Northern Kentucky
September 18, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - While it may have started similar, with a 25-19 opening-set win, the Ball State women's volleyball team was tested much of Saturday afternoon in a hard-fought 3-2 (25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 21-25, 15-13) victory over Northern Kentucky.
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"This weekend provided the unique challenge of playing the same team back-to-back, which is what we're going to have to be prepared to do in MAC play," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "It's interesting, because you have to learn from the night before, but also start fresh. That is a different way of approaching matches, and we are going to have to learn how to do that a little bit better."
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In its final tune-up before Mid-American Conference play, which starts with a pair of matches at Kent State next weekend, the Cardinals (10-2) were once again able to effectively spread out the offense Saturday. Four different players smashed double-digit kills in the win over the Norse (4-5), led by graduate transfer outside Jaclyn Bulmahn with 14 kills.
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Sophomore middle Lauren Gilliland was not far behind, blasting a career-high 13 kills and hitting a match-best .444 (13-1-27). It is the third time this season Gilliland has reached double figures. She also paced the Ball State defense with five total blocks, including two solo and three assists.
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Rounding out Ball State's top attackers were junior opposite Natalie Mitchem with 12 kills and junior middle Marie Plitt with 11.
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Freshman setter Megan Wielonski guided the Cardinals to a .221 (58-22-163) attack percentage in the match, marking the 11th time in 12 tries BSU has hit at least .200 this season. She also collected 18 digs for her sixth double-double of the season.
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Joining Wielonski in double figures in the backcourt were junior libero Natalie Risi with a season-high 20 digs, junior transfer defensive specialist Havyn Gates with 12 and sophomore defensive specialist Kate Vinson with 10.
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Anna Brinkmann led the Norse with 25 kills, while adding 11 digs for her second double-double of the weekend. NKU libero Anna Burke led all players with 29 digs, while Reilly Briggs joined Brinkmann in double figures with 17 kills.
The Ball State women's volleyball team will now turn its attention to MAC play, with Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m.) matches at Kent State.
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"To be MAC Champions and to be able to compete for the tournament title, we have to get better and better every week," Phillips added. "We've taken small steps and we have to continue to do that, because the MAC season is a grind."Â
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"This weekend provided the unique challenge of playing the same team back-to-back, which is what we're going to have to be prepared to do in MAC play," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "It's interesting, because you have to learn from the night before, but also start fresh. That is a different way of approaching matches, and we are going to have to learn how to do that a little bit better."
Â
In its final tune-up before Mid-American Conference play, which starts with a pair of matches at Kent State next weekend, the Cardinals (10-2) were once again able to effectively spread out the offense Saturday. Four different players smashed double-digit kills in the win over the Norse (4-5), led by graduate transfer outside Jaclyn Bulmahn with 14 kills.
Â
Sophomore middle Lauren Gilliland was not far behind, blasting a career-high 13 kills and hitting a match-best .444 (13-1-27). It is the third time this season Gilliland has reached double figures. She also paced the Ball State defense with five total blocks, including two solo and three assists.
Â
Rounding out Ball State's top attackers were junior opposite Natalie Mitchem with 12 kills and junior middle Marie Plitt with 11.
Â
Freshman setter Megan Wielonski guided the Cardinals to a .221 (58-22-163) attack percentage in the match, marking the 11th time in 12 tries BSU has hit at least .200 this season. She also collected 18 digs for her sixth double-double of the season.
Â
Joining Wielonski in double figures in the backcourt were junior libero Natalie Risi with a season-high 20 digs, junior transfer defensive specialist Havyn Gates with 12 and sophomore defensive specialist Kate Vinson with 10.
Â
Anna Brinkmann led the Norse with 25 kills, while adding 11 digs for her second double-double of the weekend. NKU libero Anna Burke led all players with 29 digs, while Reilly Briggs joined Brinkmann in double figures with 17 kills.
The Ball State women's volleyball team will now turn its attention to MAC play, with Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m.) matches at Kent State.
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"To be MAC Champions and to be able to compete for the tournament title, we have to get better and better every week," Phillips added. "We've taken small steps and we have to continue to do that, because the MAC season is a grind."Â
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Team Stats
NKU
BSU
Kills
70
58
Errors
28
22
Attempts
177
163
Hitting %
.237
.221
Points
82
74
Assists
63
54
Aces
5
5
Blocks
7
11
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
11
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH / OPP
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS / S
/ Women's Volleyball
S
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