Ball State has struggled in close matches all season long, and Central Michigan was guaranteed to be a nail-biter.
Coach Steve Shondell probably didn't expect a match quite as close as Central Michigan's five set win (25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-12) over Ball State.
"It's never easy [losing so closely]," Shondell said. "I thought both teams player their heart out tonight. Central [Michigan] just came up with some huge digs on ball we just crushed in the fifth game.
The match couldn't be decided in four sets when Ball State attempted to rally but fell short. Freshman Jenna Spadafora's overpass sent two Cardinals into the net, forcing a violation and a final set with the score at 22-25.
Junior setter Jacqui Seidel said the first set hurt the team once again, but after that there was no real winner.
"From there on out, it was a battle," Seidel said. "It was a battle the whole time. Both teams were playing hard. But we can't wait anymore we have to come out strong."
The back and forth contest continued into the fifth set, where neither team was pulled away until Central Michigan took a 14-11 lead to send it to match point. After a Spadafora kill, Ball State thwarted three straight attempts at the net before a fourth deflected off a Ball State player out of bounds.
"It's tough; it's deflating," Shondell said. "We fought like the dickens on that match point, and they still won it. You block three balls and give them credit for coming up with those balls after the blocks."
Senior middle blocker Lisa Scott said blocking is always about being relentless at the net even when things don't always go their way.
"It can get frustrating," Scott said. "But you're still doing your job. You're still making sure the ball doesn't hit the floor."
Ball State's attack struggled as it hit .187. But the defense was the key as Ball State finished with 12 team blocks and 68 digs in the match.
Lisa Scott led Ball State with a season-high 17 kills. Scott also added a solo block to go along with four block assists.
Junior setter Jacqui Seidel posted 50 assists and added 16 digs.
Ball State will host Eastern Michigan at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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