Ball State University Athletics
Saturday, October 10
Muncie, IN
4 p.m.
Ball State University
12-5,3-3MAC
3
vs
0
Central Michigan
0-19,0-6MAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Mich. | 20 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| Ball St. | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Photo by: Shane DiMantova - Ball State Athletics
Women’s Volleyball Sweeps CMU in Saturday #MACtion
October 10, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State women's volleyball team snapped its three-match losing streak in dominating fashion Saturday afternoon, earning a straight-set 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-14) victory over visiting Central Michigan in Worthen Arena.
A total of 15 different players saw action for the Cardinals (12-5; 3-3 Mid-American Conference), helping the squad produce a .340 (43-9-100) attack percentage in the win. Defensively, BSU limited the Chippewas (0-19; 0-6 MAC) to a .195 (29-13-82) rate of success.
On the offensive front, junior outside Ava Smith led the Cardinals with 10 kills, while hitting an impressive .346 (10-1-26). Freshman outside Merritt Sliwa was second on the squad with a career-high seven kills, while connecting at a .417 (7-2-12) clip.
Overall, 10 different Cardinals blasted at least one kill, including a pair of players with five markers and a trio with four.
On the defensive front, Sophie Ledbetter once again led the Ball State backcourt with 13 digs, while senior defensive specialist Allie Wuestenfeld collected a BSU career-high with six. Wuestenfeld was also credited with her first kill of the season to make the score 12-8 in favor of the Cardinals in the second set.
Sophomore Reese Axness and senior Lindsey Green and both saw time at setter, with Axness dishing out a match-high 18 assists and Green adding 10.
Another key to the sweep was Ball State's pressure from the service line, with a season-high 13 aces. Nine of those aces came from BSU's twin freshmen duo with outside Mallory Pike serving up six and Leah Pike adding three. Smith also added three aces, while Green collected one.
For the Chippewas, Taylor Cripe lad all players with 12 kills and 14 digs.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to the road this weekend when it heads to Athens, Ohio, for a two-match series at Ohio. Matches are set for 6 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday.
A total of 15 different players saw action for the Cardinals (12-5; 3-3 Mid-American Conference), helping the squad produce a .340 (43-9-100) attack percentage in the win. Defensively, BSU limited the Chippewas (0-19; 0-6 MAC) to a .195 (29-13-82) rate of success.
On the offensive front, junior outside Ava Smith led the Cardinals with 10 kills, while hitting an impressive .346 (10-1-26). Freshman outside Merritt Sliwa was second on the squad with a career-high seven kills, while connecting at a .417 (7-2-12) clip.
Overall, 10 different Cardinals blasted at least one kill, including a pair of players with five markers and a trio with four.
On the defensive front, Sophie Ledbetter once again led the Ball State backcourt with 13 digs, while senior defensive specialist Allie Wuestenfeld collected a BSU career-high with six. Wuestenfeld was also credited with her first kill of the season to make the score 12-8 in favor of the Cardinals in the second set.
Sophomore Reese Axness and senior Lindsey Green and both saw time at setter, with Axness dishing out a match-high 18 assists and Green adding 10.
Another key to the sweep was Ball State's pressure from the service line, with a season-high 13 aces. Nine of those aces came from BSU's twin freshmen duo with outside Mallory Pike serving up six and Leah Pike adding three. Smith also added three aces, while Green collected one.
For the Chippewas, Taylor Cripe lad all players with 12 kills and 14 digs.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to the road this weekend when it heads to Athens, Ohio, for a two-match series at Ohio. Matches are set for 6 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday.
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
MH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/Opp
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
CMU
BSU
Kills
29
43
Errors
13
9
Attempts
82
100
Hitting %
.195
.340
Points
34.0
59.0
Assists
28
34
Aces
2
13
Blocks
3
3
Game Leaders
Kills
10
Aces
3
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Monday, September 21
Thursday, September 10
Friday, September 04
Friday, September 04