Inexperience and raw talent turned useful as younger players helped the women's volleyball team try out its wings in the Nike/Active Ankle Tournament this weekend. With only six players having previous collegiate experience, the Ball State Cardinals went 1-2 on the weekend. With losses coming to Xavier University and Michigan State University, the Cardinals countered with a in-state-foe victory against IPFW. Highlighting the weekend for the Cardinals was Kelly Cochran's milestone kill record, as she broke the 1,000 mark on her career.
The Cardinals started the weekend with a tough loss to the Xavier Muskateers 3-0 (30-23, 31-29, 30-21). Leading Xavier in kills was Astyn Bjorklund with 19 kills on 26 attempts for a .654 hitting percentage.
Coming out strong for Ball State was Christine Kennedy and Brittany May with eight and 10 kills respectively.
"Friday night we were way too focused on the event of Friday night," head coach Randy Litchfield said. "[Saturday] I thought we played better, we had focus and competed much better. We played a very good team and beat them in an ugly fashion which I didn't mind."
Friday night, the first match for the Cardinals, was a chance for Ball State to play in a competitive manner and get used to playing along side their teammates.
"We were wound so tight," Litchfield said, "that there's no way we could've won that match. I didn't say much at all after Friday night's match. They were angry and came in [Saturday] and played better volleyball."
Ball State went 1-2 on the weekend with their sole win coming on Saturday morning versus the IPFW Mastodons, 3-0 (33-31, 33-31, 30-20). Then the Cardinals relaxed until their 8 p.m. game against Big Ten powerhouse, Michigan State. The Spartans exercised the Cardinal's young roster as they beat Ball State 3-0 (30-24, 30-26, 30-20). Michigan State was the tournament champ as they went 3-0 on the weekend. Xavier University finished second (2-1) with wins over Ball State, third, and IPFW who finished 0-3 coming in last place in the tournament.
Playing the best for the Cardinals over the weekend were sophomore Christine Kennedy and freshman Julie Breivogel. Leading the weekend in statistics for Ball State was Kennedy with 37 kills and 22 digs. Breivogel also had a good weekend with 34 kills and 20 digs. Leading the weekend for the Cardinals in assists was junior Angie Parrell with 124.
While Breivogel had the most surprising performance, coming from a freshman, Kennedy looks to be a consistent big-hitter for the Cardinals.
"We're all benefiting from Christine's personality on this team," Litchfield said.
Breivogel, being a true freshman had some jitters but played hard in the clutch.
"It's tough to go out there and play your best," Breivogel said.
Parrell, the team's setter, can be considered the "point guard" of volleyball. She relished in Breivogel's performance and looks forward to working with her.
"She's a key player right now," Parrell said. "I believe she's a clutch player, and I can count on her when I need to get her the ball. I love that about her."
The inconsistent play from upper-classmen is a key issue as Ball State looks ahead to the "Bama Bash" coming next weekend. Practices will be a chance for the most consistent and aggressive players to fill roster spots.
"Our big problem right now is our lineup is very inconsistent," Litchfield said. "We saw senior Kelly Cochran with a horrible performance [Friday] night, and then [Saturday] played very well. "There's nothing to hang our hat on with this lineup."
The Cardinals will have three days of practice before leaving Wednesday night for the weekend tournament in Alabama. The tournament, held in Tuscaloosa, AL, features Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Alabama, and Mercer.
"My only message to the team," Litchfield said, "is Monday all starting spots are wide open. We'll start from scratch and have a couple practices that might give us a glimpse of who wants to fight for them."
Breivogel looks to be a key component of the Cardinals line-up this after this weekend.
"I like having the challenge of being out there," Breivogel said. "I'm enjoying the opportunity."
Litchfield has his work cut out for him as this young, talented team looks to the future.
"I still really feel like our focus has to be on our own sides of the net. We need to have some good ol' fashion, tough, hard-nose practices and find out who shines because those are the people who will shine on match day."
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