Tyler & Ledbetter Earn Preseason All-MAC Honors

CLEVELAND, Ohio - - With the 2025 Ball State women's volleyball season set to begin this weekend, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced its annual preseason poll and All-MAC selections as voted on by the league's 12 head coaches.

Representing the Cardinals on the Preseason All-MAC Team were sophomore outside Carson Tyler and sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter. As a team, Ball State was picked to finish second among the 12 league teams.

Tyler earns Preseason All-MAC honors for the first time in her career after being named the 2024 MAC and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Midwest Region Freshman of the Year. She registered 20+ kills in six matches last season on her way to also earning First Team All-MAC and MAC All-Tournament Team honors. Overall, Tyler ranked first on the team and seventh in the MAC with a 3.34 kills-per-set average last season.

Ledbetter earned Preseason All-MAC honors for the first time in her career after claiming MAC All-Freshman Team accoladed last season. She was credited with double-digit digs in 23 matches last season, including six with 20 or more. Overall, Ledbetter led the Ball State defense and ranked 10th in the MAC with a 3.68 digs-per-set average last season.

As a squad, the Cardinals earned 102 points and a pair of first-place votes to earn the league's 2025 regular season title. Bowling Green is the favorite to repeat a regular season champion with 119 points and 10 first-place votes, while Central Michigan was pick third with 101 points.

The Falcons were also selected at the favorite to win the MAC Volleyball Championship with 10 votes, while Buffalo and Central Michigan each picked up one.

The Ball State women's volleyball program officially opens the 2025 season Friday when it battles St. Thomas at 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT in its first of three matches at the Minnesota Tournament.

The Cardinals will also battle No. 11 Minnesota Saturday at 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT and Cal Poly Sunday at Noon ET / 11 a.m. CT in the three-day event.

Fans looking to see the Cardinals in action at Worthen Arena this season can purchase season tickets by CLICKING HERE. Ball State officially opens its 12-match home slate Sept. 18 versus Cincinnati at 11:30 a.m. The following night, the Cardinals will host No. 15 Purdue in a 6 p.m. showdown.

Women's volleyball season tickets are $54 for Adults and $19 for Youth (18-and-under). Fans can also purchase Men's and Women's Volleyball combined season tickets for $89 for Adults and $30 for Youth (18-and-under). Single match tickets are also available by CLICKING HERE.

Even better, if you are a Ball State women's volleyball fan in sixth grade or below, you can join the Volley Cards Kids Club for just $30 by CLICKING HERE.

As part of the club, each young fan will receive season tickets, a member swag pack, get to take part in the high-five tunnel during starting lineups and other special opportunities throughout the season.

2025 MAC Volleyball Coaches Poll
(First place votes)
1. Bowling Green – 119 (10) pts.
2. Ball State – 102 (2) pts.
3. Central Michigan – 101 pts.
4. Western Michigan – 93 pts.
5. Buffalo – 77 pts.
6. Toledo – 73 pts.
7. Ohio – 66 pts.
8. Eastern Michigan – 48 pts.
9. Miami – 38 pts.
10. Akron – 35 pts.
11. Northern Illinois – 26 pts.
12. Kent State – 14 pts.
Tournament champion: Bowling Green (10), Buffalo (1), Central Michigan (1)

2025 Preseason All-MAC Team
Lauryn Hovey, Opposite, Bowling Green
Carson Tyler, Outside Hitter, Ball State
Amanda Otten, Setter, Bowling Green
Abby Olin, Middle Blocker, Central Michigan
Jessica Andrews, Middle Blocker, Bowling Green
Mary Clare Brusek, Middle Blocker, Western Michigan
Natalia Rejment, Outside Hitter, Central Michigan
Grace Thomas, Middle Blocker, Central Michigan
Grace Freiberger, Libero, Toledo
Sophie Ledbetter, Libero, Ball State
Manoela Forlin, RS/OH, Buffalo
Sierra Pertzborn, Middle Blocker, Toledo
Hatteras Welker, Middle Blocker, Eastern Michigan
Mackenzie McGuire, Outside Hitter, Kent State

Players Mentioned

Sophie Ledbetter

Carson Tyler

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