Friday, September 23
Mount Pleasant, MI
6 p.m.
Ball State University
8-5,0-1MAC
1
at
3
Central Michigan
8-4,1-0MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Ball St.
25
20
22
19
1
Central Mich.
18
25
25
25
3
Volleyball Falls To CMU In MAC Opener
September 23, 2022 | Women's Volleyball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - - Despite a hot start, the Ball State women's volleyball team opened Mid-American Conference play with a 3-1 (18-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-19) setback to Central Michigan Friday evening at McGuirk Arena.
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With a pair of freshmen in the starting lineup for the first time in their careers, the Cardinals (8-5; 0-1 MAC) hit a blistering .552 (18-2-29) to take the opening set. Unfortunately, a fired up Chippewas (8-4; 1-0 MAC) squad playing its first home match of the season bounced back to win the final three frames.
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Ball State freshman outside Katie Egenolf made the most of her first collegiate start, smashing a match-high and career-best 15 kills. That went along with a .273 (15-6-33) attack percentage, as well as a dig and solo block.
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"Katie played aggressively and with confidence tonight," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "We've seen that out of her in practice and I'm not surprised at all by her performance."
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Add three more Cardinals with double-digit kills, senior outside Natalie Risi at 14, senior middle Marie Plitt at 13, and junior middle Lauren Gilliland at 10, and the Cardinals finished the contest with a 64-to-61 edge in the category.
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Unfortunately, CMU committed 12 fewer attack errors to finish with a .316 (61-12-155)-to-.250 (64-24-160) attack advantage to earn the victory.
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Also making her first collegiate start for BSU was freshman opposite Madison Buckley, who finished the match with five kills and a .333 (5-1-12) attack percentage. Four of those five kills came in the opening set.
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On the defensive side of the ball, senior libero Havyn Gates led five Cardinals in double figures with 17 digs. Junior defensive specialist Kate Vinson was right behind with 16.
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Sophomore setter Megan Wielonski added her eighth double-double of the season, handing out 53 assists to go along with 15 digs. Risi earned her sixth double-double of the season with 12 digs, while senior defensive specialist Maggie Huber rounded out Ball State's defenders in double figures with 10 digs.
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Elly Medendorp paced a quartet of CMU attackers in double figures with 14 kills to go along with a match-best .520 (14-1-25) attack percentage. Aly Gurtiza led all defenders with 21 digs.
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"We have to learn how to enjoy the pressure of competition," Phillips added. "We have to keep getting better, keep working and taking things one match at a time."
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The Ball State women's volleyball team will look to avenge tonight's loss Saturday afternoon with a 4 p.m. first serve against the Chippewas.
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With a pair of freshmen in the starting lineup for the first time in their careers, the Cardinals (8-5; 0-1 MAC) hit a blistering .552 (18-2-29) to take the opening set. Unfortunately, a fired up Chippewas (8-4; 1-0 MAC) squad playing its first home match of the season bounced back to win the final three frames.
Â
Ball State freshman outside Katie Egenolf made the most of her first collegiate start, smashing a match-high and career-best 15 kills. That went along with a .273 (15-6-33) attack percentage, as well as a dig and solo block.
Â
"Katie played aggressively and with confidence tonight," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "We've seen that out of her in practice and I'm not surprised at all by her performance."
Â
Add three more Cardinals with double-digit kills, senior outside Natalie Risi at 14, senior middle Marie Plitt at 13, and junior middle Lauren Gilliland at 10, and the Cardinals finished the contest with a 64-to-61 edge in the category.
Â
Unfortunately, CMU committed 12 fewer attack errors to finish with a .316 (61-12-155)-to-.250 (64-24-160) attack advantage to earn the victory.
Â
Also making her first collegiate start for BSU was freshman opposite Madison Buckley, who finished the match with five kills and a .333 (5-1-12) attack percentage. Four of those five kills came in the opening set.
Â
On the defensive side of the ball, senior libero Havyn Gates led five Cardinals in double figures with 17 digs. Junior defensive specialist Kate Vinson was right behind with 16.
Â
Sophomore setter Megan Wielonski added her eighth double-double of the season, handing out 53 assists to go along with 15 digs. Risi earned her sixth double-double of the season with 12 digs, while senior defensive specialist Maggie Huber rounded out Ball State's defenders in double figures with 10 digs.
Â
Elly Medendorp paced a quartet of CMU attackers in double figures with 14 kills to go along with a match-best .520 (14-1-25) attack percentage. Aly Gurtiza led all defenders with 21 digs.
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"We have to learn how to enjoy the pressure of competition," Phillips added. "We have to keep getting better, keep working and taking things one match at a time."
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The Ball State women's volleyball team will look to avenge tonight's loss Saturday afternoon with a 4 p.m. first serve against the Chippewas.
Team Stats
BSU
CMU
Kills
64
61
Errors
24
12
Attempts
160
155
Hitting %
.250
.316
Points
71
70
Assists
61
48
Aces
5
3
Blocks
2
6
Game Leaders
Kills
15
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
13
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS / S
/ Women's Volleyball
S
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