WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Ball State falls to Western Michigan in MAC Tournament

Redshirt freshman outside hitter Sabrina Mangapora attempts to hit the ball over the net during a set against Akron on Nov. 15 at Worthen Arena. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY
Redshirt freshman outside hitter Sabrina Mangapora attempts to hit the ball over the net during a set against Akron on Nov. 15 at Worthen Arena. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

An attempted comeback fell short as the Ball State women's volleyball team lost to Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Tournament for the second consecutive season.

The Cardinals end the season with a 17-13 overall record. 

Western Michigan jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with 25-12 and 25-20 victories in the first two sets. 

Ball State bounced back to win set three 25-21, but fell in a close 26-24 fourth set. Western Michigan won the final three points of the final set after calling a timeout trailing 24-23.

Offensively, redshirt freshman Sabrina Mangapora led three Cardinals in double-digit kills with 14 to tie for match-high honors.

Middle hitters Hayley Benson and Kelly Hopkins were the other Ball State players in double figures with 13 and 11 kills.

Ball State posted 53 kills as a team, hitting .209 in the match. 

Setter Jenna Spadafora had 44 assists to go along with seven kills and 13 digs.

On the defensive side, the Cardinals held the Broncos to just a .194 hitting percentage on 53 kills.

The Cardinals had seven blocks, as redshirt junior Amanda Raker led with two solo blocks and one assist.

Junior Kati Vasalakis had 23 to top the Cardinals roster. Three other Ball State players, including Spadafora, were in double digits.

Western Michigan was able to capitalize on 10 Ball State service errors. 

Western Michigan will go on to battle No. 1 seed Ohio in the tournament semifinals. The Cardinals 2014 season is over.

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