Saturday, November 4
Kalamazoo, MI
3 p.m.
Ball State University
14-12,11-4MAC
0
at
3
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Western Michigan
25-2,15-0MAC
1
2
3
F
Ball St.
20
26
25
0
Western Mich.
25
28
27
3
Volleyball Falls To Western Michigan in Saturday #MACtion
November 04, 2023 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Despite pushing the final two sets to extra points, a victory was not in the cards for the Ball State women's volleyball team Saturday afternoon at University Arena as it suffered a 3-0 (25-20, 28-26, 27-25) setback to Western Michigan.
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The win helped the Broncos improve to 25-2 (15-0 Mid-American Conference), claim the MAC West Division title and at least a share of the MAC regular season championship, in addition to earning hosting rights to the upcoming 2023 MAC Women's Volleyball Championship.
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The Cardinals fall to 14-12 (11-4 MAC) with the loss.
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Ball State and Western Michigan battled to a 15-15 stalemate in the opening set, before a 4-0 run gave the host squad all the momentum in needed. While fifth-year middle Marie Plitt followed a Ball State timeout at 19-15 with back-to-back kills, part of her 11 on the day, WMU would go on to win the set 25-20.
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The second set saw the Cardinals battle back from down 23-20 to tie the score thanks to consecutive blasts from Plitt, redshirt freshman Aniya Kennedy and freshman Kendall Barnes. Ball State would even reach set point, at 25-24, thanks to back-to-back Kennedy makers. Unfortunately, the Cardinals could not close it out and lost the set 28-26 after being call out of rotation on the final point.
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Ball State looked poised to force a fifth set, leading 24-22 in the third following a service ace from Barnes. However, two attacking errors surrounding a WMU ace gave the Broncos match-point at 25-24. While Plitt's final kill gave the Cardinals some much-needed energy and helped her finish with a match-best .647 (11-0-17) hitting percentage, Western Michigan countered with the final to points to extend its winning streak to 15 matches.
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In addition to Plitt's solid play, Kennedy led the Ball State offense with 17 kills and Barnes matched her jersey number with a career-high 10 kills.
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The Cardinals offense finished the day with a .278 (49-14-126) hitting mark, just shy of the Broncos who hit .326 (53-11-129). Ball State would hold a 57-to-55 edge in digs and a 6.0-to-2.0 advantage in total blocks.
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Freshman middle Camryn Wise and sophomore opposite Madison Buckley tied for match-high honors with three blocks apiece, while fifth-year libero Havyn Gates chipped in a team-high 12 digs.
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Maggie King led the WMU attack with 19 kills, while Andelyn Simkins was credited with a match-high 14 digs.
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The Ball State women's volleyball team closes out the home portion of its 2023 season next weekend when it hosts Northern Illinois Friday and Saturday for 6 p.m. first serves. Saturday's match will serve as senior night for the Cardinals.
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The win helped the Broncos improve to 25-2 (15-0 Mid-American Conference), claim the MAC West Division title and at least a share of the MAC regular season championship, in addition to earning hosting rights to the upcoming 2023 MAC Women's Volleyball Championship.
Â
The Cardinals fall to 14-12 (11-4 MAC) with the loss.
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Ball State and Western Michigan battled to a 15-15 stalemate in the opening set, before a 4-0 run gave the host squad all the momentum in needed. While fifth-year middle Marie Plitt followed a Ball State timeout at 19-15 with back-to-back kills, part of her 11 on the day, WMU would go on to win the set 25-20.
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The second set saw the Cardinals battle back from down 23-20 to tie the score thanks to consecutive blasts from Plitt, redshirt freshman Aniya Kennedy and freshman Kendall Barnes. Ball State would even reach set point, at 25-24, thanks to back-to-back Kennedy makers. Unfortunately, the Cardinals could not close it out and lost the set 28-26 after being call out of rotation on the final point.
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Ball State looked poised to force a fifth set, leading 24-22 in the third following a service ace from Barnes. However, two attacking errors surrounding a WMU ace gave the Broncos match-point at 25-24. While Plitt's final kill gave the Cardinals some much-needed energy and helped her finish with a match-best .647 (11-0-17) hitting percentage, Western Michigan countered with the final to points to extend its winning streak to 15 matches.
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In addition to Plitt's solid play, Kennedy led the Ball State offense with 17 kills and Barnes matched her jersey number with a career-high 10 kills.
Â
The Cardinals offense finished the day with a .278 (49-14-126) hitting mark, just shy of the Broncos who hit .326 (53-11-129). Ball State would hold a 57-to-55 edge in digs and a 6.0-to-2.0 advantage in total blocks.
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Freshman middle Camryn Wise and sophomore opposite Madison Buckley tied for match-high honors with three blocks apiece, while fifth-year libero Havyn Gates chipped in a team-high 12 digs.
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Maggie King led the WMU attack with 19 kills, while Andelyn Simkins was credited with a match-high 14 digs.
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The Ball State women's volleyball team closes out the home portion of its 2023 season next weekend when it hosts Northern Illinois Friday and Saturday for 6 p.m. first serves. Saturday's match will serve as senior night for the Cardinals.
Team Stats
BSU
WMU
Kills
49
53
Errors
14
11
Attempts
126
129
Hitting %
.278
.326
Points
58.0
59.0
Assists
46
49
Aces
3
4
Blocks
6
2
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
17
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
2
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's VolleyballOPP
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
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