Ball State University Athletics
Friday, October 2
Toledo, OH
6 p.m.
Ball State University
11-3,2-1MAC
1
at
3
Toledo
11-2,3-0MAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball St. | 19 | 18 | 25 | 16 | 1 |
| Toledo | 25 | 25 | 16 | 25 | 3 |
Photo by: Shane DiMantova - Ball State Athletics
Women’s Volleyball Falls in Round One at Toledo
October 02, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
TOLEDO, Ohio - - In a battle of the Mid-American Conference's top two programs, the Ball State women's volleyball team suffered a 3-1 (25-19, 25-18, 16-25, 25-16) setback to Toledo Friday evening at Savage Arena.
After dropping the opening two sets, the Cardinals (11-3; 2-1 MAC) answered the call in the third courtesy of a seven-point run that turned an 8-7 deficit into a 14-8 advantage. Unfortunately, the Rockets (11-2; 3-0 MAC) regained the momentum with a 12-3 run midway through the fourth and went on to win the series opener.
In a match pitting the league's top two offenses and defenses in the NCAA statistical rankings, it was second-ranked Toledo which slowed the top-ranked Ball State offense just enough to earn the victory.
The Cardinals finished the match hitting .169 (46-20-154) and were held to its second-lowest kill total of the season, at 46. A team-high nine of those kills came from junior opposite Tiffany Snook, while senior opposite Madison Buckley, junior outside Ava Smith and senior middle Gwen Crull added eight apiece.
Crull would also tie for match-high honors with five total blocks, while Buckley chipped in four, helping the Cardinals hold a slim 7.0-to-6.0 edge in the category.
In the backcourt, junior libero Sophie Ledbetter continued her solid play, leading all players with 21 digs. Smith was next on the squad with 13. Freshman outside Mallory Pike also turned in a strong stat line with six kills, nine digs and two of the team's three service aces.
Senior Lindsey Green led BSU's setting duo with 22 assists, while sophomore Reese Axness handed out 16. Green would also collect seven digs and an ace, while Axness was credited with eight digs.
On the other side of the net, Sophie Catalano led a trio of Rockets attackers in double figures with a match-high 11 kills, while Grace Freiberger collected a team-high 19 digs. Toledo hit .258 (59-18-159) on the night, while holding a 74-to-72 edge in total digs.
The Ball State women's volleyball team will look to avenge tonight's loss on Saturday with a 4 p.m. rematch against Toledo.
After dropping the opening two sets, the Cardinals (11-3; 2-1 MAC) answered the call in the third courtesy of a seven-point run that turned an 8-7 deficit into a 14-8 advantage. Unfortunately, the Rockets (11-2; 3-0 MAC) regained the momentum with a 12-3 run midway through the fourth and went on to win the series opener.
In a match pitting the league's top two offenses and defenses in the NCAA statistical rankings, it was second-ranked Toledo which slowed the top-ranked Ball State offense just enough to earn the victory.
The Cardinals finished the match hitting .169 (46-20-154) and were held to its second-lowest kill total of the season, at 46. A team-high nine of those kills came from junior opposite Tiffany Snook, while senior opposite Madison Buckley, junior outside Ava Smith and senior middle Gwen Crull added eight apiece.
Crull would also tie for match-high honors with five total blocks, while Buckley chipped in four, helping the Cardinals hold a slim 7.0-to-6.0 edge in the category.
In the backcourt, junior libero Sophie Ledbetter continued her solid play, leading all players with 21 digs. Smith was next on the squad with 13. Freshman outside Mallory Pike also turned in a strong stat line with six kills, nine digs and two of the team's three service aces.
Senior Lindsey Green led BSU's setting duo with 22 assists, while sophomore Reese Axness handed out 16. Green would also collect seven digs and an ace, while Axness was credited with eight digs.
On the other side of the net, Sophie Catalano led a trio of Rockets attackers in double figures with a match-high 11 kills, while Grace Freiberger collected a team-high 19 digs. Toledo hit .258 (59-18-159) on the night, while holding a 74-to-72 edge in total digs.
The Ball State women's volleyball team will look to avenge tonight's loss on Saturday with a 4 p.m. rematch against Toledo.
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
MH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/Opp
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP/MH
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
BSU
UT
Kills
46
59
Errors
20
18
Attempts
154
159
Hitting %
.169
.258
Points
56.0
69.0
Assists
44
52
Aces
3
4
Blocks
7
6
Game Leaders
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
0
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