Saturday, September 30
Ypsilanti, MI
4 p.m.
Ball State University
7-8,4-0MAC
3
at
0
Eastern Michigan
2-15,0-5MAC
1
2
3
F
Ball St.
26
25
25
3
Eastern Mich.
24
18
23
0
Late-Set Rallies Lead Volleyball To Another Sweep At Eastern Michigan
September 30, 2023 | Women's Volleyball
YPSILANTI, Mich. - - The Ball State women's volleyball team used rallies late in the first and third sets to run its current winning streak to five matches with a 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-23) sweep of Eastern Michigan Saturday afternoon at the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
"While we didn't play our best today, we found a way to get the big point when it mattered," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "We have to keep working to not put ourselves in those positions, but I am proud of our group for staying tough and finding a way."
In picking up its fifth consecutive sweep, the Cardinals (7-8; 4-0 Mid-American Conference) rallied from down 24-22 in the opening set and 22-21 in the third to remain unblemished in league play.
While the Eagles (2-15; 0-5 MAC) were able to slow the Ball State offense down in comparison to last night's meeting, the Cardinals still had four student-athletes record at least eight kills. Fifth-year middle Marie Plitt and senior outside Cait Snyder led the way with 10 each.
Plitt would go on to lead all attackers with a .500 (10-0-20) hitting percentage and produce a match-high six total blocks, including a pair of solo stuffs. Plitt's play at the net helped the Cardinals hold a 10.0-to-6.0 edge in total blocks.
Rounding out Ball State's top attackers were freshman outside Aniya Kennedy with nine kills and sophomore opposite Madison Buckley with eight. Buckley, along with freshman middle Camryn Wise, each tallied three total blocks in the win.
The Cardinals also put together another solid effort in the backcourt, tallying 66 digs. It's BSU's most digs in a three-set match this season, topping the 58 from yesterday's sweep at EMU. Once again it was fifth-year libero Havyn Gates who led the BSU defense with 16 digs. Junior setter Megan Wielonski added 11, to go along with 31 assists, for her sixth double-double of the season.
"Defensively we made more plays tonight which was a focus on our end for sure," Phillips added. "Our next step is translating those plays into better offensive production. We are building each week but must keep getting better."
Wielonski and Gates also served up a pair of aces each, helping Ball State hold a 5-to-4 advantage in that category.
EMU's Ava Siefke led all players with 12 kills and 18 digs, topping three Eagles' defenders in double digits.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to the road next weekend for a Friday match at Miami and a Saturday showdown with defending MAC Tournament Champion and 2022 co-regular season champion Bowling Green. First serves are set for 7 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.
"While we didn't play our best today, we found a way to get the big point when it mattered," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "We have to keep working to not put ourselves in those positions, but I am proud of our group for staying tough and finding a way."
In picking up its fifth consecutive sweep, the Cardinals (7-8; 4-0 Mid-American Conference) rallied from down 24-22 in the opening set and 22-21 in the third to remain unblemished in league play.
While the Eagles (2-15; 0-5 MAC) were able to slow the Ball State offense down in comparison to last night's meeting, the Cardinals still had four student-athletes record at least eight kills. Fifth-year middle Marie Plitt and senior outside Cait Snyder led the way with 10 each.
Plitt would go on to lead all attackers with a .500 (10-0-20) hitting percentage and produce a match-high six total blocks, including a pair of solo stuffs. Plitt's play at the net helped the Cardinals hold a 10.0-to-6.0 edge in total blocks.
Rounding out Ball State's top attackers were freshman outside Aniya Kennedy with nine kills and sophomore opposite Madison Buckley with eight. Buckley, along with freshman middle Camryn Wise, each tallied three total blocks in the win.
The Cardinals also put together another solid effort in the backcourt, tallying 66 digs. It's BSU's most digs in a three-set match this season, topping the 58 from yesterday's sweep at EMU. Once again it was fifth-year libero Havyn Gates who led the BSU defense with 16 digs. Junior setter Megan Wielonski added 11, to go along with 31 assists, for her sixth double-double of the season.
"Defensively we made more plays tonight which was a focus on our end for sure," Phillips added. "Our next step is translating those plays into better offensive production. We are building each week but must keep getting better."
Wielonski and Gates also served up a pair of aces each, helping Ball State hold a 5-to-4 advantage in that category.
EMU's Ava Siefke led all players with 12 kills and 18 digs, topping three Eagles' defenders in double digits.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to the road next weekend for a Friday match at Miami and a Saturday showdown with defending MAC Tournament Champion and 2022 co-regular season champion Bowling Green. First serves are set for 7 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.
Team Stats
BSU
EMU
Kills
44
38
Errors
20
20
Attempts
149
134
Hitting %
.161
.134
Points
59.0
48.0
Assists
42
38
Aces
5
4
Blocks
10
6
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
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Tuesday, July 01