Kate Vinson

Photo by: Julia Kostopolous

Position:
Defensive Specialist / Libero
Height:
5-7
Class:
Junior
High School:
Yorktown
Hometown:
Yorktown, Ind.

Career Notes Entering 2022 Season:
• Played in 78 of a possible 88 matches over her career
• Saw action in 259 of a possible 335 sets
• Two-time MAC West Division Setter of the Week (Jan. 25, 2021 and Feb. 1, 2021)
• MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 6, 2022)
• 2021 & 2022 Academic All-MAC
• Earned four career assist/dig double-doubles
• Credited with double-digit digs in 27 career matches
• Dished out a career-high 38 assists versus Akron (Jan. 23, 2021)
• Collected a career-high 29 digs versus Marshall (March 20, 2021)

2022 (Jr.): Earned third letter at Ball State … Academic All-MAC played in 31 of BSU's 33 matches, seeing action in 101 of a possible 126 sets ... ranked fifth on the squad with a 2.19 digs-per-set average ... collected double-digit digs in eight matches, including a season-high 19 versus Northern Kentucky (Sept. 16) ... registered 16 digs in both matches at Central Michigan (Sept. 23 & 24) and at NIU (Oct. 14) ... collected at least one dig in 30 of the 31 matches she played ... finished 12 matches with a perfect reception percentage, including a 17-for-17 mark at then-No. 10 Purdue (Sept. 17) ... served up 16 aces on the season, including four in the Sept. 24 match at Central Michigan ... credited with a kill versus Kent State (Nov. 3).

2021 (So.): Earned second letter at Ball State … named MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 6) ... Academic All-MAC ... played in 26 of BSU's 34 matches, seeing action in 83 of a possible 129 sets ... team's libero for the first 10 matches of the season ... collected a career-high 29 digs in the win over Marshall (Sept. 4), the most for a Ball State player in 2021 ... credited with double-digit digs in 11 matches, including two matches with 20-or-more ... earned 22 digs at Wright State (Sept. 3) ... finished 10 matches with a perfect reception percentage, including an 18-for-18 effort versus Syracuse (Sept. 11) ... served up a pair of aces in two matches, while finishing the year with nine.

2020-21 (Fr.): Earned first letter at Ball State … two-time MAC West Division Setter of the Week … played in all 21 matches, earning eight starts … saw action in 75 of a possible 80 sets … earned her first MAC West Division Setter of the Week honor after guiding the Cardinals to a pair of wins over Akron opening weekend (Jan. 22-23) … dished out a career-high 38 assists in the second victory over the Zips (Jan. 23), while adding 13 digs for her first career double-double … registered three of her four career kills in the opening weekend, including two in the first match versus Akron (Jan. 22) … claimed her second MAC West Division Setter of the Week honor after helping sweep Buffalo the second weekend (Jan. 28-29), splitting time in a 6-2 with redshirt sophomore setter Esther Grussing … also saw time in the backcourt over the last half of the season, including collecting a career-high 16 digs versus Central Michigan (March 20) … credited with double-figure digs in eight matches, while logging assist/dig double-doubles on four occasions … served up eight aces on the year … credited with three block assists for the season, including two in the season finale at Eastern Michigan (March 27).

MILLER PHILLIPS ON VINSON: Kate is a versatile player that is not only a lights out passer, but she can also set and run an offense at a very high level. Kate has a very natural touch on her platform that allows her to pinpoint her passes to target. She reads well on defense and makes digging look effortless. She's always cool, calm and collected in high pressure situations and is used to taking charge in big moments; whether that be passing or setting. As a setter, she is quick to the ball, feels her hitters well and puts the ball where her hitters need it. Her versatility, ball control, and competitiveness will be great to have in our gym.

HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year letterwinner in volleyball for coach Stephanie Bloom (who played four seasons for the Cardinals from 2001-04 and ranks first in program history and third in MAC history with 2,273 career digs) at Yorktown … helped guide the Tigers to a 135-6 record over her career, including an undefeated 34-0 record and an IHSAA Class 4A State Championship her junior year … also helped Yorktown capture the IHSAA Class 3A State Championship as a freshman … dished out 1,078 assists as a senior, to go along with 203 digs, 34 kills and 23 aces … a two-time MaxPreps.com/AVCA National High School Player of the Week honoree over her career, she was also a first team all-conference and first team all-county as a junior … named IHSVCA Academic All-State, along with team captain, as a senior … helped guide the Tigers to four Delaware Country championships, three Hoosier Heritage Conference titles, three sectional titles, three regional titles, two semi-state championships and a pair of state titles … finished her career with 2,505 assists, 810 digs, 122 aces and 69 kills over 400 sets played.

CLUB: Vinson has played 10 seasons for the Munciana Volleyball Club, helping guide the program to an AAU 16 Open National Runner-Up finish in 2018 … a two-time AAU All-American, earning honors at the 14 Open (2016) and 17 Open (2019).

WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because of the volleyball coaches, staff and players. They made me feel like I could be myself and I knew they wanted me on their team as a player and as a person. I love how close it is to my home. Being in my hometown will allow me to attend games of my younger siblings and will allow them to come watch me as well.