Ball State University Athletics
Thursday, September 17
Muncie, IN
6 p.m.
Ball State University
8-2,0-0MAC
1
vs
3
Northwestern
6-4,0-0Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern | 25 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 3 |
| Ball St. | 17 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 1 |
Women’s Volleyball Falls to Northwestern in Home Opener
September 17, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Junior outside attacker Ava Smith tied her career high with 19 kills Thursday night, but it was not enough to lift the Ball State women's volleyball team past a tough Northwestern squad in its home opener at Worthen Arena.
After another slow start, the Cardinals (8-2) were able to find a rhythm on offense and win a close second set. However, the Wildcats (6-4) closed with a pair of tight set wins of their own, including earning the third frame in extras, to take the match 3-1 (25-17, 22-25, 26-24, 25-23).
Along with Smith's 19 kills, junior opposite Tiffany Snook reached double digits for Ball State with 11. It was the fifth consecutive match Snook has reached double figures and the eighth time in 10 matches this season.
The Cardinals' freshmen twin sisters Mallory Pike and Leah Pike also had a strong night in their Worthen Arena debuts, starting with a career-high eight kills from M. Pike.
L. Pike would make her mark at the net, with a career-high four total blocks, while also smashing four kills.
Senior middle Gwen Crull led all players with five total blocks, while adding five kills. Senior middle Madison Buckley added four more blocks and eight kills. Overall, Ball State held a 10.0 to 9.0 edge in total blocks for the match.
In the backcourt, BSU junior libero Sophie Ledbetter led the squad with 13 digs and made some more spectacular plays to set up Ball State points. Prior to the start of the match, the Cardinals honored Ledbetter for her 1,000th career dig versus Stetson (Sept. 11) and head coach Kelli Miller Phillips for her 200th career win versus Furman (Sept. 12).
On the other side of the net, Mara Stiglic led all players with 22 kills and added 14 digs for a double-double. Lauren Dignan added a match-high 22 digs, while Isabella Bullington chipped in 17 kills a .531 (17-0-32) attack percentage and six digs.
Bullington is the daughter of Ball State women's volleyball alum and three-year letterwinner Lauren Gilbert (2000-02) and baseball alum and 2002 MLB No. 1 draft pick Bryan Bullington (2000-02).
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Saturday when it hosts IU Indy in another 6 p.m. first serve at Worthen Arena. In addition to being RED OUT, the Cardinals will honor its 2026 senior class after the match. Another senior celebration will take place following the regular season home finale vs. Kent State (Nov. 13).
After another slow start, the Cardinals (8-2) were able to find a rhythm on offense and win a close second set. However, the Wildcats (6-4) closed with a pair of tight set wins of their own, including earning the third frame in extras, to take the match 3-1 (25-17, 22-25, 26-24, 25-23).
Along with Smith's 19 kills, junior opposite Tiffany Snook reached double digits for Ball State with 11. It was the fifth consecutive match Snook has reached double figures and the eighth time in 10 matches this season.
The Cardinals' freshmen twin sisters Mallory Pike and Leah Pike also had a strong night in their Worthen Arena debuts, starting with a career-high eight kills from M. Pike.
L. Pike would make her mark at the net, with a career-high four total blocks, while also smashing four kills.
Senior middle Gwen Crull led all players with five total blocks, while adding five kills. Senior middle Madison Buckley added four more blocks and eight kills. Overall, Ball State held a 10.0 to 9.0 edge in total blocks for the match.
In the backcourt, BSU junior libero Sophie Ledbetter led the squad with 13 digs and made some more spectacular plays to set up Ball State points. Prior to the start of the match, the Cardinals honored Ledbetter for her 1,000th career dig versus Stetson (Sept. 11) and head coach Kelli Miller Phillips for her 200th career win versus Furman (Sept. 12).
On the other side of the net, Mara Stiglic led all players with 22 kills and added 14 digs for a double-double. Lauren Dignan added a match-high 22 digs, while Isabella Bullington chipped in 17 kills a .531 (17-0-32) attack percentage and six digs.
Bullington is the daughter of Ball State women's volleyball alum and three-year letterwinner Lauren Gilbert (2000-02) and baseball alum and 2002 MLB No. 1 draft pick Bryan Bullington (2000-02).
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Saturday when it hosts IU Indy in another 6 p.m. first serve at Worthen Arena. In addition to being RED OUT, the Cardinals will honor its 2026 senior class after the match. Another senior celebration will take place following the regular season home finale vs. Kent State (Nov. 13).
Players Mentioned
MH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
MH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/Opp
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP/MH
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
NU
BSU
Kills
62
59
Errors
14
20
Attempts
141
165
Hitting %
.340
.236
Points
76.0
74.0
Assists
59
56
Aces
5
5
Blocks
9
10
Game Leaders
Kills
19
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Thursday, September 10
Friday, September 04
Friday, September 04
Thursday, September 03