The Ball State women’s volleyball team needed five sets to defeat in-state rival IPFW on the road Sept. 17.
The Cardinals defeated the Mastadons 36-34, 21-25, 25-22, 26-28 and 15-12. The win snapped a five-match losing streak for Ball State.
"It was huge for us mentally," head coach Steve Shondell said. "We're going to feel a lot better knowing that we can go out and win a five-game match."
Offensively, Ball State recorded 64 kills with an attack percentage of .196. Redshirt sophomore Mackenzie Kitchel and redshirt freshman Sabrina Mangapora led the team with 15 kills each. Redshirt junior Kelly Hopkins had 14.
Mangapora has been asked to take on an expanded role on offense as Shondell tries to maximize his personnel.
"Just getting the opportunity to contribute to any success that this team would have, let alone being in the larger role, is just great," Mangapora said.
Junior setter Jenna Spadafora had 60 assists in the match.
The Cardinals also had six service aces, led by sophomore Nikki Box and Spadafora with two apiece.
IPFW managed to hit just a .230 percentage against the Ball State defense, which had six total blocks in the match.
The Cardinals also had 73 digs as a team, led by redshirt junior libero Alex Fuelling with 24.
Ball State improves to 4-6 on the season. The team will return to action on Sept. 19 as it travels to play in the VCU Invitational.
