Volleyball Suffers 3-1 Setback At WKU

Friday, September 15

Bowling Green, KY

Noon ET / 11 a.m. CT

Ball State University

2-8,0-0MAC

Western Kentucky

8-4,0-0CUSA

Ball St.

Western Ky.

September 15, 2023 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score: Ball State 1 - WKU 3

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - - The Ball State women's volleyball team rallied to take the third set but could not get past a strong Western Kentucky squad, suffering a 3-1 (25-15, 25-14, 23-25, 25-15) setback Friday afternoon at E.A. Diddle Arena.

In its open match of the Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic, the Cardinals (2-8) were paced offensively by sophomore opposite Madison Buckley who fell one shy of her career high with 13 kills.

Buckley also led a strong charge at the net, tallying four total blocks to help Ball State hold an 11.0 to 10.5 edge over the Hilltoppers (8-4) who received 48 points in the latest AVCA/Taraflex Coaches Poll.

Fifth-year middle Marie Plitt aided the Cardinals' blocking effort with six of her own, to go along with seven kills. Mixing time in the middle and on the left side, redshirt freshman Aniya Kennedy was the only other Ball State attacker in double figures with 10 kills. She also tallied four blocks.

In an impressive collegiate debut, freshman Camryn Wise played the final two sets and was a spark for the Cardinals' set three win, smashing four of her five kills in the frame. She also collected two blocks in the set, while finishing the match with three.

In the backcourt, sophomore Josie Bloom collected 10 digs in her first go around as Ball State's libero. Fifth-year defensive specialist Havyn Gates was also credited with 10 digs, while junior setter Megan Wielonski collected six to go along with 38 assists.

Paige Briggs led the WKU attack with 19 kills, while Abby Schaefer added a match high 19 digs.

The Ball State women's volleyball team closes the non-conference portion of the season Saturday with a Noon ET / 11 a.m. CT first serve versus East Tennessee State back at E.A. Diddle Arena.