Friday, November 15
Muncie, IN
6 p.m.
Ball State University
20-8,13-4MAC
3
vs
0
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Western Michigan
16-12,12-5MAC
1
2
3
F
Western Mich.
16
12
18
0
Ball St.
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Brayden Goins / Ball State Athletics
Volleyball Runs Winning Streak to 10 With Friday Sweep of WMU
November 15, 2024 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State and Western Michigan both entered Friday's Mid-American Conference showdown at Worthen Arena riding nine-match winning streaks, so fans knew someone would leave the gym disappointed.Â
Â
The Cardinals (20-8; 13-4 MAC) made sure it was not them, turning in a dominating 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-18) victory in front of an elated crowd of 1,241 fans.
Â
In fact, Ball State finished the night with its second-best hitting effort of the season, at .423 (50-9-97), which ties as the 12th-best mark in a match in program history. The offensive effort helped extend BSU's program record set winning streak to 28 and its program record match sweep streak to nine.
Â
"I think the league as a whole is super strong and on any given night teams can play at an unbelievable level," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "Tonight, we certainly did. We played at a high level for three straight sets. I told them between each set, the beauty of volleyball is the momentum starts over and you have to do it again. I was so proud of our group for maintaining that consistency for the entire match."
Â
After the first 15 points, it looked like the match was going to be the slugfest everyone expected with the Broncos (16-12; 12-5 MAC) playing out to an 8-7 edge. Then Ball State sophomore setter Lindsey Green entered to serve and flipped the match on its side.Â
Â
Her first serve set up a solo block from sophomore middle Gwen Crull, her first of three blocks on the night, to tie the score for the fifth time. Her next serve helped set up a big blast from redshirt sophomore opposite Aniya Kennedy, her first of a match-high tying 11 kills, for the third lead change of the night.
Â
It proved to be the last lead chance as Green served up two more points, including an ace, to give Ball State a lead it would not relinquish the rest of the night. Green finished the night with 20 assists, one ace and three digs, combining with senior setter Megan Wielonski to run the offense to its seventh match at .300-or-better since switching to the 6-2 for the last 12 matches.
Â
Wielonski would play just as strong, dishing out 24 assists and registering two kills and six digs. She also served up her 189th career ace, leaving her three shy of breaking the program record of 191 set by Stacy Jordan (1982-85).
Â
Along with her 11 kills, Kennedy would finish the night with a match-high .611 (11-0-18) attack percentage. Freshman outside Carson Tyler was just as strong, tying Kennedy with 11 kills while collecting 10 digs for her fourth career double-double.
Â
Ball State offense was also aided by a strong effort from junior opposite Madison Buckley who smashed nine kills and hit .429 (9-3-14).
Â
As good as the Cardinals offense was, the defense was just as solid. At the net, Ball State registered 11.0 more team blocks, led once again by six from graduate middle Aayinde Smith. Tyler was right there as well, collecting a career-high five.Â
Â
In the backcourt, freshman libero Sophie Ledbetter led all players with 14 digs, while junior outside Katie Egenolf tied her career high with 10. Overall, Ball State out-dug the Broncos by a 48-to-33 margin.
Â
"Entering the match, we wanted to serve and pass at a high level," Phillips said. "WMU has five great attackers and are super balanced offensively. We knew we were going to have to make sure we served to keep them off the net so they would not have all five options. I thought we did a good job, especially with our service pressure, especially early."Â
Â
That defensive effort helped limit the Western Michigan attack to a season-low .117 (30-18-103) rate of success. Keona Salesman led the squad with nine kills, while Andelyn Simkins was credited with a team-high eight digs.
Â
The two teams will meet again Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. for Ball State women's volleyball Senior Day. After the conclusion of the contest, the Cardinals will honor its four departing players: Wielonski, Smith, Kendall Seimet and Paige Busick.
Â
The match will be immediately following the Ball State men's basketball game versus Indiana State which starts at 2 p.m. Fans with tickets to the game can stick around to watch the women's volleyball match for free.
Â
Â
The Cardinals (20-8; 13-4 MAC) made sure it was not them, turning in a dominating 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-18) victory in front of an elated crowd of 1,241 fans.
Â
In fact, Ball State finished the night with its second-best hitting effort of the season, at .423 (50-9-97), which ties as the 12th-best mark in a match in program history. The offensive effort helped extend BSU's program record set winning streak to 28 and its program record match sweep streak to nine.
Â
"I think the league as a whole is super strong and on any given night teams can play at an unbelievable level," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "Tonight, we certainly did. We played at a high level for three straight sets. I told them between each set, the beauty of volleyball is the momentum starts over and you have to do it again. I was so proud of our group for maintaining that consistency for the entire match."
Â
After the first 15 points, it looked like the match was going to be the slugfest everyone expected with the Broncos (16-12; 12-5 MAC) playing out to an 8-7 edge. Then Ball State sophomore setter Lindsey Green entered to serve and flipped the match on its side.Â
Â
Her first serve set up a solo block from sophomore middle Gwen Crull, her first of three blocks on the night, to tie the score for the fifth time. Her next serve helped set up a big blast from redshirt sophomore opposite Aniya Kennedy, her first of a match-high tying 11 kills, for the third lead change of the night.
Â
It proved to be the last lead chance as Green served up two more points, including an ace, to give Ball State a lead it would not relinquish the rest of the night. Green finished the night with 20 assists, one ace and three digs, combining with senior setter Megan Wielonski to run the offense to its seventh match at .300-or-better since switching to the 6-2 for the last 12 matches.
Â
Wielonski would play just as strong, dishing out 24 assists and registering two kills and six digs. She also served up her 189th career ace, leaving her three shy of breaking the program record of 191 set by Stacy Jordan (1982-85).
Â
Along with her 11 kills, Kennedy would finish the night with a match-high .611 (11-0-18) attack percentage. Freshman outside Carson Tyler was just as strong, tying Kennedy with 11 kills while collecting 10 digs for her fourth career double-double.
Â
Ball State offense was also aided by a strong effort from junior opposite Madison Buckley who smashed nine kills and hit .429 (9-3-14).
Â
As good as the Cardinals offense was, the defense was just as solid. At the net, Ball State registered 11.0 more team blocks, led once again by six from graduate middle Aayinde Smith. Tyler was right there as well, collecting a career-high five.Â
Â
In the backcourt, freshman libero Sophie Ledbetter led all players with 14 digs, while junior outside Katie Egenolf tied her career high with 10. Overall, Ball State out-dug the Broncos by a 48-to-33 margin.
Â
"Entering the match, we wanted to serve and pass at a high level," Phillips said. "WMU has five great attackers and are super balanced offensively. We knew we were going to have to make sure we served to keep them off the net so they would not have all five options. I thought we did a good job, especially with our service pressure, especially early."Â
Â
That defensive effort helped limit the Western Michigan attack to a season-low .117 (30-18-103) rate of success. Keona Salesman led the squad with nine kills, while Andelyn Simkins was credited with a team-high eight digs.
Â
The two teams will meet again Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. for Ball State women's volleyball Senior Day. After the conclusion of the contest, the Cardinals will honor its four departing players: Wielonski, Smith, Kendall Seimet and Paige Busick.
Â
The match will be immediately following the Ball State men's basketball game versus Indiana State which starts at 2 p.m. Fans with tickets to the game can stick around to watch the women's volleyball match for free.
Â
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
Team Stats
WMU
BSU
Kills
30
50
Errors
18
9
Attempts
103
97
Hitting %
.117
.423
Points
34.0
66.0
Assists
29
49
Aces
2
5
Blocks
2
11
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
11
Aces
1
Blocks
5
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
MH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
MH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballWomen's Volleyball // 2025 First Practice Recap
Tuesday, August 05
Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses the NCAA vs. House Settlement
Tuesday, July 01
Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses NCAA vs. House Settlement & Bill Richards Thank You
Friday, June 27
Worthen Arena // Floor Update Timelapse
Wednesday, June 04