Ball State University Athletics
Women's Volleyball Welcomes Five in 2024 Incoming Class
November 09, 2023 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - To compete at a championship level, you must recruit championship-level athletes. That is just what Ball State women's volleyball head coach Kelli Miller Phillips and her staff have done with the program's latest recruiting class.
Set to join the Cardinals for the 2024 season are:
- a two-time IHSAA Class 4A State Champion in Sophie Ledbetter (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern)
- a nationals champion in club volleyball in Niyah Lester (South Eculid, Ohio / Charles F. Brush)
- a two-time Kentucky All-A State Champion in Elizabeth Tabeling (Edgewood, Ky. / St. Henry)
- a New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association State Champion in Carson Tyler (Pavilion, NY / St. Mary's)
- an IHSAA Class 4A Sectional Champion in Riley Whitlock (Lafayette, Ind./William Henry Harrison)
Below is a little more about each of the student-athletes set to join the Ball State women's volleyball squad for the 2024 campaign.
Sophie Ledbetter | Defensive Specialist | Fishers, Indiana | Hamilton Southeastern HS
PHILLIPS ON LEDBETTER: Sophie is one of those players that plays with such control and poise. She finds ways to make play after play and is one of those people that just completely frustrates opponents because it's so difficult to score on her. She is consistently tough and is one of those people that you can just count on to make things happen when you need it. She has such a natural platform touch combined with great reading ability, quickness and high VB IQ. She's going to be a big add to our program.
HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year varsity letterwinner at Hamilton Southeastern for coach Jason Young … helped guide the Royals to back-to-back IHSAA Class 4A State Volleyball Championships as a junior and senior … HSE finished the 2023 season with a perfect 33-0 record, while producing a 34-1 mark in 2022 … finished her high school career with 1008 digs, 256 assists and 88 service aces … collected 433 digs her senior season, including 17 in the 2023 IHSAA State Championship match victory over Castle played in Worthen Arena … team captain as a junior and senior.
SENIOR YEAR AWARDS
To Be Determined
JUNIOR YEAR AWARDS
Second Team All-State
All-Conference
Indy Star Super Team
WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because of the amazing education and volleyball experience that it offers. The coaches and players I have met already made it an easy decision too!
Niyah Lester | Middle Hitter | South Eculid, Ohio | Charles F. Brush HS
PHILLIPS ON LESTER: Niyah will immediately bring personality, toughness and physicality to our gym. She's confident, quick and enjoys going toe to toe with opponents. She's the type of competitor that you want on your side of the net because she just finds ways to score points. Additionally, she has a fast, heavy arm and is comfortable running a lot of different routes which will help her fit right in with our offensive scheme. I can't wait to add her energy and competitive fire to our program.
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned one letter in volleyball at Charles F. Brush High School … earned first team all-conference honors as a junior … also played softball.
JUNIOR YEAR AWARDS
All-Conference First Team
CLUB: Played four seasons for Rockcity Volleyball … named Nationals MVP after helping guide her 16's team to the championship … helped her team make three appearances at nationals … was ranked as the ninth-best player in the state and third among middle hitters.
WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because the coaches and players were very welcoming and down the earth. The size of the campus was perfect for me, and the distance from campus to home was a good as well.
Elizabeth Tabeling | Defensive Specialist | Edgewood, Kentucky | St. Henry HS
PHILLIPS ON TABELING: Elizabeth is a play maker. She is a natural reader with great quickness that keeps the ball off the court at all times. She knows how to communicate with her teammates and is always throwing her body around on the court to save a point. She's been a part of many winning teams and understands the level of toughness and ball control needed to be successful. She's going to be able to come in and make an impact early with her ball control and defensive presence.
HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year letterwinner at St. Henry for coach Maureen Kaiser … helped guide the Crusaders to All-A State Championships as a sophomore and senior, as well as a Kentucky State title her sophomore campaign … team also won 34th district titles in each of her final three seasons, as well as the 9th region championship her sophomore campaign … helped guide St. Henry to an 83-33 record over her career, accumulating 1,293 career digs over 362 sets played … also credited with 147 career aces and 234 career assists … credited with 438 digs as a senior, to go along with 39 aces … team captain as a junior and senior.
SENIOR YEAR AWRDS
NKGVCA All-Opponent Division II 1st Team
All-A State All-Tournament Team
All-A Region All-Tournament Team
9th Region All-Tournament Team
34th District All-Tournament Team
JUNIOR YEAR AWRDS
NKGVCA All-Opponent Division II 1st Team
All-A State All-Tournament Team
9th Region All-Tournament Team
34th District All-Tournament Team
CLUB: Played 11 seasons of club volleyball for the NKYVC … helped guide her teams to Bluegrass Championships in 2022 and 2023 … Central Zone Champions in 2022 … three-time Qualified Open … 2023 Big South Qualifier Runner-Up … 2022 Show Me Qualifier Runner-Up … her U16 and U17 teams were consistently ranked in the top three nationally … individually she was ranked by Prep Volleyball as one of the Top 25 liberos and Top 100 players in the class of 2024 … member of the USA National Team Development Program … 2021 JVA Ultra Ankle Team and 2022 JVA All-National Team.
WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because of the culture I felt as soon as I met the volleyball coaching staff and my future teammates. Everyone welcomed me and made me feel like they truly cared about me as a person. I also fell in love with the beautiful campus and up-to-date dorms.
Carson Tyler | Outside Hitter | Pavilion, New York | St. Mary's HS
PHILLIPS ON TYLER: Carson is a baller. She is a great athlete that takes pride in her ability to affect the game in so many different ways. She has such a natural touch on her platform, and she hits the ball with a lot of heat at the net. She has a knack for knowing where to be at the right moments and finds ways to get the big kill when needed. She's so fun to watch because she's so dynamic and plays very confidently. I'm excited to have her in the gym!
HIGH SCHOOL: Played five seasons on the varsity squad at St. Mary's for coach Don Pieczynski … has helped guide the Lancers to a 143-14-2 record over the last four seasons, including a 46-2 mark so far her senior campaign, most recently helping guide the program to its 13th consecutive Monsignor Martin High School Athletic Association title … has amassed 1,744 kills, 1,045 digs, 213 aces and 121 blocks entering the New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association State Championship … helped guide the team to a 41-4-2 record and a state title as a junior … team captain as a junior and senior.
SENIOR YEAR AWARDS
To Be Determined
JUNIOR YEAR AWARDS
First Team All-WNY
First Team All-Catholic
Monsignor Martin League MVP
SOPHOMORE YEAR AWARDS
First Team All-WNY
First Team All-Catholic
FRESHMAN YEAR AWARDS
First Team All-Catholic
First Team All-WNY
8TH-GRADE YEAR AWARDS
Livingston County All-Star
Section 5 All-Star
Class C All-Star
Channel 8 Section 5 Rookie of the Year
CLUB: Played three years for Paradigm … played on the 18U squad each of her three seasons … helped guide the program to back-to-back MLK Championships in 2022 and 2023.
WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because when I came on my unofficial visit, the atmosphere was something I knew I wanted to be a part of. Being on campus, with the team and coaches, felt like home.
Riley Whitlock | Rightside / Outside Hitter | Lafayette, Indiana | William Henry Harrison
PHILLIPS ON WHITLOCK: Riley is a versatile attacker that can play at either pin. She has continued to improve her all-around game and will bring not just a net presence but also ball control to the gym. Her fast arm and ability to hit all the shots makes her very effective in the front row. She has played in a lot of big pressure matches and has been a go-to attacker on many of those occasions. She's not afraid of big moments and will be a big addition to our program.
HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year letterwinner at William Henry Harrison High School for coach Jacklyn Lehe … helped guide the Raiders to an 87-43 record over her career, including a 27-7 mark and sectional championship her senior season … smashed 1,276 kills over her high school career, including 478 this past season … both totals rank as the second-highest in program history … also registered 575 career digs and 90 career aces … team captain in each of the past three seasons … also earned three letters in basketball so far for the Raiders, earning all-conference honors in each of the past three seasons, along with Third Team All-State accolades as a junior.
SENIOR SEASON AWARDS
Some Awards Still To Be Determined
All-Conference
All-Area Big School Team
Mishawaka Tournament MVP
Mishawaka All-Tournament Team
Team MVP
JUNIOR SEASON AWARDS
All-Conference
All-Area Big School Team
Mishawaka Tournament MVP
Mishawaka All-Tournament Team
SOPHOMORE SEASON AWARDS
All-Conference
CLUB: Played four seasons for the Boiler Juniors.
WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because of its location and the great program they offer. I love the coaches and the team. The location is ideal because my parents and siblings will still be able to attend my games. The campus is gorgeous!
Set to join the Cardinals for the 2024 season are:
- a two-time IHSAA Class 4A State Champion in Sophie Ledbetter (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern)
- a nationals champion in club volleyball in Niyah Lester (South Eculid, Ohio / Charles F. Brush)
- a two-time Kentucky All-A State Champion in Elizabeth Tabeling (Edgewood, Ky. / St. Henry)
- a New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association State Champion in Carson Tyler (Pavilion, NY / St. Mary's)
- an IHSAA Class 4A Sectional Champion in Riley Whitlock (Lafayette, Ind./William Henry Harrison)
Below is a little more about each of the student-athletes set to join the Ball State women's volleyball squad for the 2024 campaign.
We have a new addition to the Ball State Volleyball Family ??
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 9, 2023
We're excited to welcome Sophie Ledbetter (@sophledbetter09) to The Nest#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/yajGZsxV6K
Sophie Ledbetter | Defensive Specialist | Fishers, Indiana | Hamilton Southeastern HS
PHILLIPS ON LEDBETTER: Sophie is one of those players that plays with such control and poise. She finds ways to make play after play and is one of those people that just completely frustrates opponents because it's so difficult to score on her. She is consistently tough and is one of those people that you can just count on to make things happen when you need it. She has such a natural platform touch combined with great reading ability, quickness and high VB IQ. She's going to be a big add to our program.
HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year varsity letterwinner at Hamilton Southeastern for coach Jason Young … helped guide the Royals to back-to-back IHSAA Class 4A State Volleyball Championships as a junior and senior … HSE finished the 2023 season with a perfect 33-0 record, while producing a 34-1 mark in 2022 … finished her high school career with 1008 digs, 256 assists and 88 service aces … collected 433 digs her senior season, including 17 in the 2023 IHSAA State Championship match victory over Castle played in Worthen Arena … team captain as a junior and senior.
SENIOR YEAR AWARDS
To Be Determined
JUNIOR YEAR AWARDS
Second Team All-State
All-Conference
Indy Star Super Team
WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because of the amazing education and volleyball experience that it offers. The coaches and players I have met already made it an easy decision too!
We have a new addition to the Ball State Volleyball Family ??
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 9, 2023
We're excited to welcome Niyah Lester (@Only1niyahmarie) to The Nest#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/xEreaLRRdR
Niyah Lester | Middle Hitter | South Eculid, Ohio | Charles F. Brush HS
PHILLIPS ON LESTER: Niyah will immediately bring personality, toughness and physicality to our gym. She's confident, quick and enjoys going toe to toe with opponents. She's the type of competitor that you want on your side of the net because she just finds ways to score points. Additionally, she has a fast, heavy arm and is comfortable running a lot of different routes which will help her fit right in with our offensive scheme. I can't wait to add her energy and competitive fire to our program.
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned one letter in volleyball at Charles F. Brush High School … earned first team all-conference honors as a junior … also played softball.
JUNIOR YEAR AWARDS
All-Conference First Team
CLUB: Played four seasons for Rockcity Volleyball … named Nationals MVP after helping guide her 16's team to the championship … helped her team make three appearances at nationals … was ranked as the ninth-best player in the state and third among middle hitters.
WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because the coaches and players were very welcoming and down the earth. The size of the campus was perfect for me, and the distance from campus to home was a good as well.
We have a new addition to the Ball State Volleyball Family ??
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 9, 2023
We're excited to welcome Elizabeth Tabeling (@etabeling4) to The Nest#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/MXgow4yNpC
Elizabeth Tabeling | Defensive Specialist | Edgewood, Kentucky | St. Henry HS
PHILLIPS ON TABELING: Elizabeth is a play maker. She is a natural reader with great quickness that keeps the ball off the court at all times. She knows how to communicate with her teammates and is always throwing her body around on the court to save a point. She's been a part of many winning teams and understands the level of toughness and ball control needed to be successful. She's going to be able to come in and make an impact early with her ball control and defensive presence.
HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year letterwinner at St. Henry for coach Maureen Kaiser … helped guide the Crusaders to All-A State Championships as a sophomore and senior, as well as a Kentucky State title her sophomore campaign … team also won 34th district titles in each of her final three seasons, as well as the 9th region championship her sophomore campaign … helped guide St. Henry to an 83-33 record over her career, accumulating 1,293 career digs over 362 sets played … also credited with 147 career aces and 234 career assists … credited with 438 digs as a senior, to go along with 39 aces … team captain as a junior and senior.
SENIOR YEAR AWRDS
NKGVCA All-Opponent Division II 1st Team
All-A State All-Tournament Team
All-A Region All-Tournament Team
9th Region All-Tournament Team
34th District All-Tournament Team
JUNIOR YEAR AWRDS
NKGVCA All-Opponent Division II 1st Team
All-A State All-Tournament Team
9th Region All-Tournament Team
34th District All-Tournament Team
CLUB: Played 11 seasons of club volleyball for the NKYVC … helped guide her teams to Bluegrass Championships in 2022 and 2023 … Central Zone Champions in 2022 … three-time Qualified Open … 2023 Big South Qualifier Runner-Up … 2022 Show Me Qualifier Runner-Up … her U16 and U17 teams were consistently ranked in the top three nationally … individually she was ranked by Prep Volleyball as one of the Top 25 liberos and Top 100 players in the class of 2024 … member of the USA National Team Development Program … 2021 JVA Ultra Ankle Team and 2022 JVA All-National Team.
WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because of the culture I felt as soon as I met the volleyball coaching staff and my future teammates. Everyone welcomed me and made me feel like they truly cared about me as a person. I also fell in love with the beautiful campus and up-to-date dorms.
We have a new addition to the Ball State Volleyball Family ??
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 9, 2023
We're excited to welcome Carson Tyler to The Nest#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/657dmICCTQ
Carson Tyler | Outside Hitter | Pavilion, New York | St. Mary's HS
PHILLIPS ON TYLER: Carson is a baller. She is a great athlete that takes pride in her ability to affect the game in so many different ways. She has such a natural touch on her platform, and she hits the ball with a lot of heat at the net. She has a knack for knowing where to be at the right moments and finds ways to get the big kill when needed. She's so fun to watch because she's so dynamic and plays very confidently. I'm excited to have her in the gym!
HIGH SCHOOL: Played five seasons on the varsity squad at St. Mary's for coach Don Pieczynski … has helped guide the Lancers to a 143-14-2 record over the last four seasons, including a 46-2 mark so far her senior campaign, most recently helping guide the program to its 13th consecutive Monsignor Martin High School Athletic Association title … has amassed 1,744 kills, 1,045 digs, 213 aces and 121 blocks entering the New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association State Championship … helped guide the team to a 41-4-2 record and a state title as a junior … team captain as a junior and senior.
SENIOR YEAR AWARDS
To Be Determined
JUNIOR YEAR AWARDS
First Team All-WNY
First Team All-Catholic
Monsignor Martin League MVP
SOPHOMORE YEAR AWARDS
First Team All-WNY
First Team All-Catholic
FRESHMAN YEAR AWARDS
First Team All-Catholic
First Team All-WNY
8TH-GRADE YEAR AWARDS
Livingston County All-Star
Section 5 All-Star
Class C All-Star
Channel 8 Section 5 Rookie of the Year
CLUB: Played three years for Paradigm … played on the 18U squad each of her three seasons … helped guide the program to back-to-back MLK Championships in 2022 and 2023.
WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because when I came on my unofficial visit, the atmosphere was something I knew I wanted to be a part of. Being on campus, with the team and coaches, felt like home.
We have a new addition to the Ball State Volleyball Family ??
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 9, 2023
We're excited to welcome Riley Whitlock (@rileywhitlock_) to The Nest#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/YtrYP51wE7
Riley Whitlock | Rightside / Outside Hitter | Lafayette, Indiana | William Henry Harrison
PHILLIPS ON WHITLOCK: Riley is a versatile attacker that can play at either pin. She has continued to improve her all-around game and will bring not just a net presence but also ball control to the gym. Her fast arm and ability to hit all the shots makes her very effective in the front row. She has played in a lot of big pressure matches and has been a go-to attacker on many of those occasions. She's not afraid of big moments and will be a big addition to our program.
HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year letterwinner at William Henry Harrison High School for coach Jacklyn Lehe … helped guide the Raiders to an 87-43 record over her career, including a 27-7 mark and sectional championship her senior season … smashed 1,276 kills over her high school career, including 478 this past season … both totals rank as the second-highest in program history … also registered 575 career digs and 90 career aces … team captain in each of the past three seasons … also earned three letters in basketball so far for the Raiders, earning all-conference honors in each of the past three seasons, along with Third Team All-State accolades as a junior.
SENIOR SEASON AWARDS
Some Awards Still To Be Determined
All-Conference
All-Area Big School Team
Mishawaka Tournament MVP
Mishawaka All-Tournament Team
Team MVP
JUNIOR SEASON AWARDS
All-Conference
All-Area Big School Team
Mishawaka Tournament MVP
Mishawaka All-Tournament Team
SOPHOMORE SEASON AWARDS
All-Conference
CLUB: Played four seasons for the Boiler Juniors.
WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because of its location and the great program they offer. I love the coaches and the team. The location is ideal because my parents and siblings will still be able to attend my games. The campus is gorgeous!
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