Sunday, September 3
Omaha, NE
1 p.m. ET / Noon CT
Ball State University
2-4,0-0MAC
1
vs
3
LSU
2-3,0-0SEC
1
2
3
4
F
Ball St.
25
14
13
23
1
LSU
19
25
25
25
3
Volleyball Drops Sunday Showdown With LSU
September 03, 2023 | Women's Volleyball
OMAHA, Neb. - - The Ball State women's volleyball team opened the final day of play at the Bluejay Invitational with a dominating 25-19 opening set victory over SEC foe LSU Sunday afternoon at D.J. Sokol Arena.
The Cardinals (2-4) could not hold onto the momentum, however, as the Tigers (2-3), who received votes in the latest AVCA/Taraflex Coaches Poll, rallied to win the match 3-1 (19-25, 25-14, 25-13, 25-23).
"This weekend was a good experience, as we were able to play against three NCAA Tournament teams from last season," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "I think we definitely got exposed in some areas, so we have to focus more time in the gym. But we also learned we are physical enough to compete at a very high level. We just have to keep getting better."
Ball State hit a blistering .370 (13-3-27) in the opening set and led 24-13 late in the frame. LSU would gain a little momentum with the next six points, but a blast from senior outside Cait Snyder ended the frame.
Unfortunately, the Tigers carried over the momentum into the second set and never looked back, limiting BSU to a .071 (23-17-84) hitting percentage over the final three frames to secure the win.
Freshman middle/outside Aniya Kennedy led the Ball State offense for the second consecutive match with 13 kills, while fifth-year middle Marie Plitt added seven. Kennedy hit .375 (13-4-24) for the day, while Plitt connected at a .353 (7-1-17) clip.
"Aniya had a big-time weekend," Phillips added. "She played confident and gave us big production all weekend. For her first weekend in a starting role, she did a great job."
Sophomore opposite Madison Buckley added six kills and had a career day at the net, registering seven block assists. Senior middle Lauren Gilliland added five total blocks, including a pair of solo stuffs, as BSU finished the day with a 12.0 to 9.0 edge in total blocks.
In the backcourt, sophomore Paige Busick led the Cardinals with 12 digs, while fifth-year libero Havyn Gates was credited with 10. Junior setter Megan Wielonski chipped in eight digs to go along with her 31 assists.
Jurnee Robinson led the LSU attack with 17 kills, while the Tigers hit .266 (52-19-124) as a team to secure the win.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to the road next weekend for the two-day Dayton Invitational. The Cardinals play Wright State Friday at 5 p.m., while battling UIC (11 a.m.) and host Dayton (7 p.m.) on Saturday.
The Cardinals (2-4) could not hold onto the momentum, however, as the Tigers (2-3), who received votes in the latest AVCA/Taraflex Coaches Poll, rallied to win the match 3-1 (19-25, 25-14, 25-13, 25-23).
"This weekend was a good experience, as we were able to play against three NCAA Tournament teams from last season," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "I think we definitely got exposed in some areas, so we have to focus more time in the gym. But we also learned we are physical enough to compete at a very high level. We just have to keep getting better."
Ball State hit a blistering .370 (13-3-27) in the opening set and led 24-13 late in the frame. LSU would gain a little momentum with the next six points, but a blast from senior outside Cait Snyder ended the frame.
Unfortunately, the Tigers carried over the momentum into the second set and never looked back, limiting BSU to a .071 (23-17-84) hitting percentage over the final three frames to secure the win.
Freshman middle/outside Aniya Kennedy led the Ball State offense for the second consecutive match with 13 kills, while fifth-year middle Marie Plitt added seven. Kennedy hit .375 (13-4-24) for the day, while Plitt connected at a .353 (7-1-17) clip.
"Aniya had a big-time weekend," Phillips added. "She played confident and gave us big production all weekend. For her first weekend in a starting role, she did a great job."
Sophomore opposite Madison Buckley added six kills and had a career day at the net, registering seven block assists. Senior middle Lauren Gilliland added five total blocks, including a pair of solo stuffs, as BSU finished the day with a 12.0 to 9.0 edge in total blocks.
In the backcourt, sophomore Paige Busick led the Cardinals with 12 digs, while fifth-year libero Havyn Gates was credited with 10. Junior setter Megan Wielonski chipped in eight digs to go along with her 31 assists.
Jurnee Robinson led the LSU attack with 17 kills, while the Tigers hit .266 (52-19-124) as a team to secure the win.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to the road next weekend for the two-day Dayton Invitational. The Cardinals play Wright State Friday at 5 p.m., while battling UIC (11 a.m.) and host Dayton (7 p.m.) on Saturday.
Team Stats
BSU
LSU
Kills
36
52
Errors
20
19
Attempts
111
124
Hitting %
.144
.266
Points
53.0
76.0
Assists
33
49
Aces
5
15
Blocks
12
9
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
7
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
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