Ball State University
21-9,17-1MAC
Central Michigan
9-21,6-12MAC
Women’s Volleyball Celebrates Seniors with Friday Sweep of CMU
November 14, 2025 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State women's volleyball team completed one of the most impressive regular seasons in program history Friday with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-15) sweep of Central Michigan on Senior Night in Worthen Arena.
With the win, the Cardinals closed the regular season with a 21-9 overall record and tied the third-best Mid-American Conference mark in program history at 17-1. The next stop for the Cardinals, a trip to the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio, for the semifinals of the MAC Volleyball Championship next Saturday (Nov. 22) at 4 p.m.
"We had a great regular season," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. "To go 17-1 in MAC play was special considering where we started the season in non-conference play and trying to figure out our lineup. Thanks to our veteran leadership on and off the court, we found our rhythm and are playing our best volleyball right now. That's the goal heading into the MAC Tournament, to make sure we continue to get a little better this week, stay healthy and stay as prepared as possible."
Tonight was all about the program's three seniors as Ball State paid a fitting tribute to their contributions with its ninth league sweep of the season and second straight over the Chippewas (9-21, 6-12 MAC).
Leading the senior group on the floor was outside hitter Noelle VanOort, who blasted 10 kills and hit .240 (10-4-25) in her final regular season match inside Worthen Arena. A two-time All-American in her four seasons at Indiana Tech before joining the Cardinals, VanOort has tallied 2,053 kills over her collegiate career.
On the right side, opposite Christyn Ashby celebrated her final match in Worthen Arena with three kills and a block, raising her collegiate totals to 413 and 185, respectively, after starting her career with one season at Georgia State and playing three more at Alabama State.
While she missed her final season due to injury, senior Katie Egenolf still played a role as a mentor to both fifth-year transfers, as well as to the program's underclassmen. Her leadership and energy from the bench helped Ball State earn its second MAC regular season championship during her time with the program. She finished her playing career with 245 kills, 181 digs and 38 total blocks.
Along with the contributions from the senior class, sophomore Carson Tyler led all players with 15 kills in the match, raising her season total to 491. She was also credited with nine digs, two blocks and a service ace in the win, while upping her league-leading kills-per-set average to 4.23 on the year. She also hit .467 (15-1-30) in the win.
Sophomore opposite Tiffany Snook chipped in nine kills and hit .467 (9-2-15) as well, while junior middles Gwen Crull and Camryn Wise collected six and five kills, respectively. Wise led BSU at the net with three total blocks, while Crull added two.
On a night which saw the offense connect at a .346 (48-11-107) clip, its fourth-best effort of the season, junior setter Lindsey Green dished out 24 assists and freshman setter Reese Axness added 15. Green would add five digs and two aces to her stat line, while Axness was credited with six digs.
Rounding out Ball State's key contributors on the night was a match-high 15 digs from sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter and eight digs and a match-best three aces from sophomore defensive specialist Elizabeth Tabeling.
As a team, the Cardinals defense limited the Central Michigan attack to a .219 (34-13-96) attack percentage with Izzy Swiercz and Taylor Cripe tying for team-high honors with seven kills. Cripe also collected a team-high 11 digs.
"We just want to go out and have some fun next weekend," Phillips added. "I feel good about the group we have and the skills we have. But we still have to go out and perform; go out and earn it. We are in a great spot and I'm really looking forward to next week."
