Thursday, October 2
Muncie, IN
6 p.m.
Ball State University
3
vs
0
Northern Illinois
Photo by: Brayden Goins / Ball State Athletics
3-0 in #MACtion, Volleyball Sweeps NIU in Thursday Night Showdown
October 02, 2025 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State women's volleyball defense turned in its best effort of the season to register a dominating 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-29) sweep of Northern Illinois in Thursday night #MACtion at Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals (7-8; 3-0 Mid-American Conference) limited the Huskies (9-3; 2-1 MAC) to a season-low .069 (27-20-102) attack percentage, with the guests hitting negative over the opening two sets.
"We have been putting a lot of emphasis on our defense in practice," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "I give our block and Coach Bitting lot of credit tonight. We have been trying some different things from a scouting perspective and really locking in to allow our blockers to feel like they know exactly what is coming at them."
Leading the charge at the net was junior middle Gwen Crull with four total blocks, including a pair of solo stuffs, to go along with a pair of kills. Fellow junior middle Camryn Wise added two blocks and eight kills, while hitting .471 (8-0-17). Combined, the Ball State defense limited NIU to a season-low 27 kills, 15 below its previous low of 42 versus both SIUE (Sept. 6) and Eastern Michigan (Sept. 26).
In addition to its strong defensive effort, Ball State was just as solid on offense, connecting for a .317 (45-12-104) rate of success. It's the highest attacking mark NIU has allowed this season, with the previous best being a .257 from Stetson (Aug. 29).
Leading the charge from a percentage standpoint for the Cardinals was redshirt freshman Riley Whitlock who connected for kills on all five of her swings.
Overall, sophomore Carson Tyler provided numerous highlights on both ends of the court, collecting her eighth double-double of the season with match highs of 12 kills and 12 digs. She hit .240 (12-6-25) on the night and chipped in on a pair of blocks.
Graduate outside Noelle VanOort also tied for match-high honors with 12 kills and hit .286 (12-2-35), while adding five digs. In addition, junior setter Lindsey Green set the tone early in the match, serving Ball State out to a 6-0 advantage in the opening set with her first of three aces coming at the 5-0 mark following an NIU timeout.
Green dished out a match-best 26 assists and added five digs, while freshman setter Reese Axness was credited with 13 assists, five digs and Ball State's only other ace in the match.
Rounding out Ball State's top contributors were sophomore middle Tiffany Snook with six kills, three digs and a pair of blocks, and sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter with nine digs.
NIU was led by seven kills from Ava Grevengoed who also tied for team-high honors with eight digs. Grevengoed also served up three of the Huskies six aces, the only statistical category the guest from DeKalb led in during its final MAC regular season matchup versus Ball State.
Up next, the Ball State women's volleyball team hosts Western Michigan Friday night at 6 p.m. for Alumni Night. In addition to honoring its alumni in attendance during the match, all fans can enter for a chance to win a Ball State Spirit Prize Pack.
The Cardinals (7-8; 3-0 Mid-American Conference) limited the Huskies (9-3; 2-1 MAC) to a season-low .069 (27-20-102) attack percentage, with the guests hitting negative over the opening two sets.
"We have been putting a lot of emphasis on our defense in practice," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "I give our block and Coach Bitting lot of credit tonight. We have been trying some different things from a scouting perspective and really locking in to allow our blockers to feel like they know exactly what is coming at them."
Leading the charge at the net was junior middle Gwen Crull with four total blocks, including a pair of solo stuffs, to go along with a pair of kills. Fellow junior middle Camryn Wise added two blocks and eight kills, while hitting .471 (8-0-17). Combined, the Ball State defense limited NIU to a season-low 27 kills, 15 below its previous low of 42 versus both SIUE (Sept. 6) and Eastern Michigan (Sept. 26).
In addition to its strong defensive effort, Ball State was just as solid on offense, connecting for a .317 (45-12-104) rate of success. It's the highest attacking mark NIU has allowed this season, with the previous best being a .257 from Stetson (Aug. 29).
Leading the charge from a percentage standpoint for the Cardinals was redshirt freshman Riley Whitlock who connected for kills on all five of her swings.
Overall, sophomore Carson Tyler provided numerous highlights on both ends of the court, collecting her eighth double-double of the season with match highs of 12 kills and 12 digs. She hit .240 (12-6-25) on the night and chipped in on a pair of blocks.
Graduate outside Noelle VanOort also tied for match-high honors with 12 kills and hit .286 (12-2-35), while adding five digs. In addition, junior setter Lindsey Green set the tone early in the match, serving Ball State out to a 6-0 advantage in the opening set with her first of three aces coming at the 5-0 mark following an NIU timeout.
Green dished out a match-best 26 assists and added five digs, while freshman setter Reese Axness was credited with 13 assists, five digs and Ball State's only other ace in the match.
Rounding out Ball State's top contributors were sophomore middle Tiffany Snook with six kills, three digs and a pair of blocks, and sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter with nine digs.
NIU was led by seven kills from Ava Grevengoed who also tied for team-high honors with eight digs. Grevengoed also served up three of the Huskies six aces, the only statistical category the guest from DeKalb led in during its final MAC regular season matchup versus Ball State.
Up next, the Ball State women's volleyball team hosts Western Michigan Friday night at 6 p.m. for Alumni Night. In addition to honoring its alumni in attendance during the match, all fans can enter for a chance to win a Ball State Spirit Prize Pack.
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