Friday, September 22
Muncie, IN
6 p.m.
Ball State University
5-8,2-0MAC
3
vs
0
Central Michigan
6-8,0-2MAC
1
2
3
F
Central Mich.
21
19
16
0
Ball St.
25
25
25
3
Volleyball Sweeps CMU For Program’s 1,000th Win
September 22, 2023 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Friday was a night to celebrate in Worthen Arena as Ball State women's volleyball built upon its rich tradition of success and honored all members of the program, past and present, by sweeping Central Michigan to earn the program's 1,000th win.
"You don't have a lot of opportunities where you feel like you can be a part of something that's as special as a 1,000th win for the program," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "I feel blessed to be in a position to be part of one of those moments. It's such a rich history here with Ball State women's volleyball. It's pretty cool to have number 1,000 under our belt."
The Cardinals (5-8; 2-0 Mid-American Conference) used another strong performance at the net to set the tone, limiting the Chippewas (6-8; 0-2 MAC) to a season-low .060 (34-27-116) hitting percentage. Once again, freshman middle Camryn Wise and sophomore opposite Madison Buckley led the charge with career highs of eight and seven block assists, respectively.
Throw in six kills apiece, and Wise and Buckley combined for 19.5 total points in the 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-16) sweep.
Overall, the Cardinals finished the night with 12.0 total blocks, and hit .220 (40-16-109) as a team. Redshirt freshman Aniya Kennedy tied for match-high honors with 12 kills, while fifth-year middle Marie Plitt had another solid night with 10 markers and a .529 (10-1-17) rate of success. Plitt's biggest swing, the history-making blast to end the match.
"Tonight was definitely an improvement from last night," Phillips added. "I still talked to them in the huddle at the end, as we have room for continued improvement, but it's the opening week of MAC play so I think it's to be expected. I have such high expectations and know what this group is capable of. We just have to get there and play our best as soon as we can so we can continue to build. Overall, I thought it was much improved from yesterday."
Another area the Cardinals continued to improve was serve receive, as they held one of the nation's top serving teams to just one ace. CMU entered the week ranked 12th nationally with 96 aces.
Leading the effort in the backcourt were sophomore defensive specialist Paige Busick and fifth-year libero Havyn Gates, each finishing the night perfect in reception on 12 and 11 attempts, respectively. Gates also led all players with 15 digs, her 14th match this season in double figures, while adding BSU's lone ace.
Junior setter Megan Wielonski also turned in a strong performance, handing out 32 assists to go along with eight digs and a block assist.
On the opposite side of the net, Linnea Willer led the Chippewas attack with 12 kills, while Aly Gurtiza added a team-high 14 digs.
"The tradition and history of coaches here at Ball State has been huge," Phillips added. "I think that's what Ball State has been known for, having great coaches and great fundamentals. That's why former head coach Steve Shondell often refers to Ball State as 'volleyball capital of the nation'. The traction, the intensity and the joy that comes from people that have played and coached here. I'm really honored to be one of those people that can continue that tradition."
This week's homestand was a short one for the Ball State women's volleyball program, as it returns to the road for its next four matches, starting next Friday and Saturday at Eastern Michigan.
"You don't have a lot of opportunities where you feel like you can be a part of something that's as special as a 1,000th win for the program," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "I feel blessed to be in a position to be part of one of those moments. It's such a rich history here with Ball State women's volleyball. It's pretty cool to have number 1,000 under our belt."
THAT 1,000TH WIN FEELING??#ChirpChirp x #WeFly pic.twitter.com/jN32TStqMa
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) September 23, 2023
The Cardinals (5-8; 2-0 Mid-American Conference) used another strong performance at the net to set the tone, limiting the Chippewas (6-8; 0-2 MAC) to a season-low .060 (34-27-116) hitting percentage. Once again, freshman middle Camryn Wise and sophomore opposite Madison Buckley led the charge with career highs of eight and seven block assists, respectively.
Throw in six kills apiece, and Wise and Buckley combined for 19.5 total points in the 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-16) sweep.
Overall, the Cardinals finished the night with 12.0 total blocks, and hit .220 (40-16-109) as a team. Redshirt freshman Aniya Kennedy tied for match-high honors with 12 kills, while fifth-year middle Marie Plitt had another solid night with 10 markers and a .529 (10-1-17) rate of success. Plitt's biggest swing, the history-making blast to end the match.
"Tonight was definitely an improvement from last night," Phillips added. "I still talked to them in the huddle at the end, as we have room for continued improvement, but it's the opening week of MAC play so I think it's to be expected. I have such high expectations and know what this group is capable of. We just have to get there and play our best as soon as we can so we can continue to build. Overall, I thought it was much improved from yesterday."
Another area the Cardinals continued to improve was serve receive, as they held one of the nation's top serving teams to just one ace. CMU entered the week ranked 12th nationally with 96 aces.
Leading the effort in the backcourt were sophomore defensive specialist Paige Busick and fifth-year libero Havyn Gates, each finishing the night perfect in reception on 12 and 11 attempts, respectively. Gates also led all players with 15 digs, her 14th match this season in double figures, while adding BSU's lone ace.
Junior setter Megan Wielonski also turned in a strong performance, handing out 32 assists to go along with eight digs and a block assist.
On the opposite side of the net, Linnea Willer led the Chippewas attack with 12 kills, while Aly Gurtiza added a team-high 14 digs.
"The tradition and history of coaches here at Ball State has been huge," Phillips added. "I think that's what Ball State has been known for, having great coaches and great fundamentals. That's why former head coach Steve Shondell often refers to Ball State as 'volleyball capital of the nation'. The traction, the intensity and the joy that comes from people that have played and coached here. I'm really honored to be one of those people that can continue that tradition."
This week's homestand was a short one for the Ball State women's volleyball program, as it returns to the road for its next four matches, starting next Friday and Saturday at Eastern Michigan.
Team Stats
CMU
BSU
Kills
34
40
Errors
27
16
Attempts
116
109
Hitting %
.060
.220
Points
45.0
53.0
Assists
34
36
Aces
1
1
Blocks
10
12
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
7
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
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