Friday, August 29
Minneapolis, MN
4 p.m.
Ball State University
1-0,0-0MAC
3
vs
2
St. Thomas
0-1,0-0Summit League
1
2
3
4
5
F
Ball St.
25
20
15
25
15
3
St. Thomas (MN)
21
25
25
18
8
2
Volleyball Opens 2025 With Five-Set Win Over St. Thomas
August 29, 2025 | Women's Volleyball
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - - Powered by double-doubles from graduate transfer Noelle VanOort and sophomore Carson Tyler, the Ball State women's volleyball team opened the 2025 season with a hard-fought 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 15-25, 25-18, 15-8) victory over St. Thomas. It was the opening match of the three-day Golden Gopher Invitational hosted by No. 11 Minnesota at Maturi Pavilion.
"Noelle and Carson had big-time matches, and we needed it," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said after the win. "They hit smart shots, handled the ball at a high level, and really brought a calming presence to the group."
VanOort was nearly unstoppable in her Cardinals (1-0) debut. She smashed a match-high 20 kills, hit .462 (20-2-39), and added 10 digs. That marked her 10th collegiate match with 20+ kills and her 69th collegiate double-double. This came after a storied four-year career at Indiana Tech, where she was a two-time NAIA Third Team All-American.
Meanwhile, Tyler picked up right where she left off for Ball State last season, earning her seventh career double-double with 17 kills and 10 digs. The reigning Mid-American Conference (MAC) and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Midwest Region Freshman of the Year, Tyler has now tallied double-figure kills in 23 career matches.
Along with the solid play from its outside duo, sophomore opposite Tiffany Snook and junior middle Camryn Wise each collected eight kills for the Cardinals. Setting the way, junior Lindsey Green was credited with 39 assists, while freshman Reese Axness added 15. Together, they led the Ball State offense to a .245 (59-21-155) attack percentage.
While four Tommies (0-1) were able to produce double-digit kills, the Ball State block helped slow them down enough to secure the match win. Junior Gwen Crull led the Cardinals at the net with six total blocks, while Wise and freshman Christyn Ashby each collected three. Their effort helped limit St. Thomas to a .214 (60-26-159) hitting mark.
"We needed a little bit of everyone today, but it was great to see us fight and find a way to win," Phillips said. "We are still working to find our best lineup with all the new pieces we have in place, but I'm really happy with the toughness that was shown to find a way to pull off a five-setter."
Also aiding in the win was sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter, who was credited with a match-high 26 digs. The total was one shy of her career high and gave her 24 career matches with double-digit digs. Ledbetter would also tie with Tyler for team-high honors with two aces each.
Ellie Gustafson led the St. Thomas attack with 16 kills, while Morgan Kealy earned a team-best 16 digs. Megan Wetter added a team-high five blocks, while Ella Voegele served up three aces for the Tommies.
"We have to serve and pass at a really high level tomorrow and moving forward," Phillips added. "We also need to find a more balanced offensive attacking presence."
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Saturday evening when it battles 11th-ranked and tournament host Minnesota at 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT back at Maturi Pavilion.
"Noelle and Carson had big-time matches, and we needed it," head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said after the win. "They hit smart shots, handled the ball at a high level, and really brought a calming presence to the group."
VanOort was nearly unstoppable in her Cardinals (1-0) debut. She smashed a match-high 20 kills, hit .462 (20-2-39), and added 10 digs. That marked her 10th collegiate match with 20+ kills and her 69th collegiate double-double. This came after a storied four-year career at Indiana Tech, where she was a two-time NAIA Third Team All-American.
Meanwhile, Tyler picked up right where she left off for Ball State last season, earning her seventh career double-double with 17 kills and 10 digs. The reigning Mid-American Conference (MAC) and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Midwest Region Freshman of the Year, Tyler has now tallied double-figure kills in 23 career matches.
Along with the solid play from its outside duo, sophomore opposite Tiffany Snook and junior middle Camryn Wise each collected eight kills for the Cardinals. Setting the way, junior Lindsey Green was credited with 39 assists, while freshman Reese Axness added 15. Together, they led the Ball State offense to a .245 (59-21-155) attack percentage.
While four Tommies (0-1) were able to produce double-digit kills, the Ball State block helped slow them down enough to secure the match win. Junior Gwen Crull led the Cardinals at the net with six total blocks, while Wise and freshman Christyn Ashby each collected three. Their effort helped limit St. Thomas to a .214 (60-26-159) hitting mark.
"We needed a little bit of everyone today, but it was great to see us fight and find a way to win," Phillips said. "We are still working to find our best lineup with all the new pieces we have in place, but I'm really happy with the toughness that was shown to find a way to pull off a five-setter."
Also aiding in the win was sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter, who was credited with a match-high 26 digs. The total was one shy of her career high and gave her 24 career matches with double-digit digs. Ledbetter would also tie with Tyler for team-high honors with two aces each.
Ellie Gustafson led the St. Thomas attack with 16 kills, while Morgan Kealy earned a team-best 16 digs. Megan Wetter added a team-high five blocks, while Ella Voegele served up three aces for the Tommies.
"We have to serve and pass at a really high level tomorrow and moving forward," Phillips added. "We also need to find a more balanced offensive attacking presence."
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Saturday evening when it battles 11th-ranked and tournament host Minnesota at 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT back at Maturi Pavilion.
Team Stats
BSU
UST
Kills
59
60
Errors
21
26
Attempts
155
159
Hitting %
.245
.214
Points
75.0
75.0
Assists
55
58
Aces
6
6
Blocks
10
9
Game Leaders
Kills
20
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
17
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
Opp
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's VolleyballMH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
MH
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