Esther Grussing

Photo by: Samantha Blankenship (Ball State Creative Services)

Photo by: Don Rogers, Ball State University

Position:
Setter
Height:
5-8
Class:
Redshirt Freshman
High School:
Willmar
Hometown:
Willmar, Minn.

Career Notes Entering 2021 Season:
• Played in 44 of a possible 53 matches over her career
• Saw action in 144 of a possible 206 sets over her career
• Four-time MAC West Division Setter of the Week (Nov. 4, 2019, Nov. 11, 2019 & Nov. 18, 2019, Feb. 1, 2021)
• Earned 11 career assist/dig double-doubles
• Dished out a career-high 64 assists in the five-set win over Toledo (Oct. 31, 2019)
• Collected a career-high 15 digs in back-to-back matches versus Central Michigan (March 19 & 20, 2021)

2020-21 (R-So.): Earned second letter at Ball State … named MAC West Division Setter of the Week (Feb. 1) … played in all 21 matches, earning 15 starts … saw action in 74 of a possible 80 sets … ranked 10th in the MAC with a 7.62 assists-per-set average … dished out a team-high 564 assists, including a season-best 52 in the five-set win at Ohio (March 4) … logged double-digit assists in 18 of the 21 matches she played, with 20-or-more 15 times, 30-or-more on 10 occasions and 40-or-more in four contests … collected double-digit digs in six matches, including a career-high 15 in both matches versus Central Michigan (March 19 & 20) … earned six assist/dig double-doubles on the year … earned MAC West Division Setter of the Week honors after helping Ball State to a two-match sweep at Buffalo, combining in the 6-2 with freshman Kate Vinson to help the Cardinals hit .331 over the two wins … scored a career-high six kills at Miami (March 23), while adding five in the win at Ohio … finished the season with 32 total kills, with at least one kill in 13 matches … served up eight aces and was credited with 23 total blocks, including a career-high four blocks in three matches.

2019 (R-Fr.): Earned first letter at Ball State … three-time MAC West Division Setter of the Week (Nov. 4, Nov. 11 and Nov. 18) ... played in 23 of Ball State's 32 matches, seeing action in 70 of a possible 126 sets ... helped set a Ball State offense which led the league with a 13.63 kills-per-set average and ranked third in the conference with a .217 attack percentage ... ranked 10th in the MAC with a 7.40 assists-per-set average ... dished out 518 assists on the year, including a career-high 64 in a five-set win over Toledo (Oct. 31) ... credited with 51 assists in a five-set win over Grand Canyon (Sept. 6), while handing out 50 versus Cincinnati (Sept. 14) ... recorded double-digit assists in 18 matches, with 20-or-more 11 times, 30-or-more on six occasions and 40-or-more in five contests ... collected double-digit digs in five matches, including a career-high 14 in the wins over the 'Lopes and the Rockets ... earned five assist/dig double-doubles on the year ... smashed five kills in three matches, while logging at least one kill in 13 matches ... served up seven aces and credited with 19 total blocks on the year ... scored a season-high three total blocks versus GCU and tied the mark at Northern Kentucky (Sept. 13).

2018 (Fr.): Redshirted at Ball State

MILLER ON GRUSSING: "I am so excited to add Esther to our program. She has quick feet, a great release and a high volleyball IQ which are all qualities you look for in a setter. She's a natural at developing offensive rhythm and she finds a way to deliver the sets right where her hitters need it. She plays for a great club and high school team which will help prepare her to play at the college level right away."

HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterwinner at Willmar High School, where she played for her mother Traci Grussing ... finished her senior season with a program single season record 988 assists ... guided the Cardinals to a 25-5 record and a Central Lakes Conference Champions as team captain her senior year while also collecting 25 digs, 63 kills, 54 blocks and 43 aces ... A three-time First Team All-Conference honoree ... an Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American as a senior, she was also Team MVP her final three seasons ... over her four-year playing career, Grussing led the Cardinals to an 85-29 overall record while recording 2,614 assists, 691 digs, 169 blocks and 141 aces.

PERSONAL: Undecided on major ... maintains a 3.185 GPA ... born Jan. 27, 2000 in Cap Haitien, Haiti ... daughter of Traci and Steven Grussing ... has one brother, Joey, and one sister, Riley ... her mother played volleyball and basketball at Hamline University ... her bother Joey competed in track at Hamline University ... her sister Riley played volleyball at St. Anselm University.

GRUSSING ON BALL STATE: "I chose Ball State because I loved the campus, coaches and players. It is far enough away from home that I can feel independent."