Friday, October 13
Muncie, IN
6 p.m.
Ball State University
11-8,8-0MAC
3
vs
1
Akron
10-9,5-3MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Akron
12
25
15
21
1
Ball St.
25
22
25
25
3
Nine Straight; Volleyball Completes Two-Match Sweep of Akron
October 13, 2023 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State women's volleyball team used a dominating opening set and another late rally to remain undefeated in Mid-American Conference play with a 3-1 (25-12, 22-25, 25-15, 25-21) victory over Akron Friday on Dig Pink Night in Worthen Arena.
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"I definitely think we responded well from the little bit of a letdown to end last night's match before our comeback," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "We talked about how we wanted to start strong and make sure we set the tone. I thought we did that versus a really strong Akron team."
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After rallying from down 19-10 to win the third set in Thursday's sweep, the Cardinals (11-8; 8-0 MAC) carried over the momentum to open tonight's contest, scoring 11 of the match's first 12 points. The run included a little bit of everything, including two of fifth-year middle Marie Plitt's career-high tying three service aces.
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While Ball State went on to win the set 25-12, the Zips (10-9; 5-3 MAC) proved why they are one of the top teams in the MAC East, rebounding to take the second frame 25-22 by scoring seven of the final eight points in the frame.
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"I thought we lost a little bit of composure set two," Phillips said. "We just started making too many unforced errors. After the set, we talked about getting back to the basics; everyone continues to play your role, do your job, and when you do that, good things happen. I thought we maintained our composure as the match went on, learned from set two and the results followed."
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Ball State would pick up the pace in the third set, smashing an astonishing 20 kills and hitting .545 (20-2-33). It was the most kills in a set for the Cardinals this season and included eight of freshman outside Aniya Kennedy's career-high 25 markers.
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Once again, the Akron would not go down without a fight, as they played to a 20-18 edge in the fourth frame to force a Ball State timeout. While Kennedy stopped a four-point Zips run with a kill out of the 90-second break, it was a monster solo block from freshman middle Camryn Wise which put all the momentum on the Cardinals side of the court and tied the score at 20.
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Kennedy would follow with two more blasts, while sophomore opposite Madison Buckley closed a 5-0 Cardinals run with her eighth and final kill of the night. Akron would get the next pint, but Kennedy's 25th marker and a Zips attack error ended the contest.
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Wise's solo block to turn the tide was her final of a career-high nine total blocks in the win. Buckley was not far behind with five, helping the Cardinals hold a 12.0-to-4.0 advantage blocks. The effort also helped limit the Zips to a .141 (46-25-149) rate of success.
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On the Ball State side, junior setter Megan Wielonski notched her ninth double-double of the season with 41 assists and 11 digs. She also smashed eight kills, while leading the Cardinals to a .300 (59-14-150) attack percentage. It is the 24th time in her 86 career starts she has led BSU to at least a .300 attack percentage.
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Also playing a big role in the win was sophomore defensive specialist Paige Busick who led all players with a career-high 21 digs. Fifth-year libero Havyn Gates finished with 15, tying the second-highest total in the match, helping the Cardinals hold a 67-to-61 advantage in total digs.
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In addition to her three aces, Plitt smashed eight kills and hit for a .400 (8-0-20) rate of success.Â
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Faith Johnson led a trio of Akron attackers in double figures with 12 kills, while Eliska Vytiskova collected a team-high 15 digs.
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"We are going to take advantage of tomorrow off and really make sure we reload and get organized for next week," Phillips added. "The key is going to be our recovery mentally, physically and emotionally. Basically, we are playing five matches in 10 days, so you have to have yourself prepared in all three areas."
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The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Tuesday (Oct. 17) when it hosts Toledo for a 6 p.m. first serve in Worthen Arena.
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"I definitely think we responded well from the little bit of a letdown to end last night's match before our comeback," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "We talked about how we wanted to start strong and make sure we set the tone. I thought we did that versus a really strong Akron team."
Â
After rallying from down 19-10 to win the third set in Thursday's sweep, the Cardinals (11-8; 8-0 MAC) carried over the momentum to open tonight's contest, scoring 11 of the match's first 12 points. The run included a little bit of everything, including two of fifth-year middle Marie Plitt's career-high tying three service aces.
Â
While Ball State went on to win the set 25-12, the Zips (10-9; 5-3 MAC) proved why they are one of the top teams in the MAC East, rebounding to take the second frame 25-22 by scoring seven of the final eight points in the frame.
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"I thought we lost a little bit of composure set two," Phillips said. "We just started making too many unforced errors. After the set, we talked about getting back to the basics; everyone continues to play your role, do your job, and when you do that, good things happen. I thought we maintained our composure as the match went on, learned from set two and the results followed."
Â
Ball State would pick up the pace in the third set, smashing an astonishing 20 kills and hitting .545 (20-2-33). It was the most kills in a set for the Cardinals this season and included eight of freshman outside Aniya Kennedy's career-high 25 markers.
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Once again, the Akron would not go down without a fight, as they played to a 20-18 edge in the fourth frame to force a Ball State timeout. While Kennedy stopped a four-point Zips run with a kill out of the 90-second break, it was a monster solo block from freshman middle Camryn Wise which put all the momentum on the Cardinals side of the court and tied the score at 20.
Â
Kennedy would follow with two more blasts, while sophomore opposite Madison Buckley closed a 5-0 Cardinals run with her eighth and final kill of the night. Akron would get the next pint, but Kennedy's 25th marker and a Zips attack error ended the contest.
Â
Wise's solo block to turn the tide was her final of a career-high nine total blocks in the win. Buckley was not far behind with five, helping the Cardinals hold a 12.0-to-4.0 advantage blocks. The effort also helped limit the Zips to a .141 (46-25-149) rate of success.
Â
On the Ball State side, junior setter Megan Wielonski notched her ninth double-double of the season with 41 assists and 11 digs. She also smashed eight kills, while leading the Cardinals to a .300 (59-14-150) attack percentage. It is the 24th time in her 86 career starts she has led BSU to at least a .300 attack percentage.
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Also playing a big role in the win was sophomore defensive specialist Paige Busick who led all players with a career-high 21 digs. Fifth-year libero Havyn Gates finished with 15, tying the second-highest total in the match, helping the Cardinals hold a 67-to-61 advantage in total digs.
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In addition to her three aces, Plitt smashed eight kills and hit for a .400 (8-0-20) rate of success.Â
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Faith Johnson led a trio of Akron attackers in double figures with 12 kills, while Eliska Vytiskova collected a team-high 15 digs.
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"We are going to take advantage of tomorrow off and really make sure we reload and get organized for next week," Phillips added. "The key is going to be our recovery mentally, physically and emotionally. Basically, we are playing five matches in 10 days, so you have to have yourself prepared in all three areas."
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The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Tuesday (Oct. 17) when it hosts Toledo for a 6 p.m. first serve in Worthen Arena.
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Team Stats
UA
BSU
Kills
46
59
Errors
25
14
Attempts
149
150
Hitting %
.141
.300
Points
57.0
77.0
Assists
43
54
Aces
7
6
Blocks
4
12
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
25
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
3
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
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