The Ball State University Cardinals women's volleyball team traveled to Ohio last weekend in search of a much needed win in the opening weekend of Mid-American Conference play. After two games, the weekend was halfway successful.
Ball State first traveled to Miami University on Friday night. The Cardinals entered the weekend with a four-game losing streak and found themselves with their backs against the wall. Responding well, the Cardinals capitalized on a game-five thriller, winning 3-2 (30-26, 17-30, 31-33, 30-17, 15-12).
"I was ecstatic with what happened Friday night," head coach Randy Litchfield said. "One of the toughest environments we've been a part of in a long time, and I thought to win in that environment was a great step in the right direction."
The match featured 33 ties and 20 lead changes.
The first game, which was won by Ball State, was back and forth and preceded game two in which the Cardinals found themselves down early. The Cardinals' first point was a kill by Brittany May that put them on the board at 6-1. Ball State then scored four straight points in an attempt to delay the inevitable. Game two was won by Miami 30-17.
Game three was the closest of the match and was won by Miami, 33-31. Down 2-1 at this point, Ball State needed two games to win the match. Game four was the turning point for Ball State as it got off to a 10-3 lead and never looked back.
The match was great for Ball State as it gave them their first win of the MAC and refilled their confidence.
"We made a strong point in starting over at 0-0," Litchfield said. "Just to get a huge road win like that, it was and will be very important for us."
During the game, senior Amanda McCormick surpassed the 1,000 dig mark for her career and finished with a match-high 34. Also in the match, May tallied 15 kills, a match-best six service aces and six digs. Freshman Julie Brievogel also helped the Cardinals keep tempo with 19 kills and two digs.
Saturday night's matchup against Bowling Green State University (12-2, 2-0 MAC) would prove to be slightly more difficult for the Cardinals, as they lost 3-0 to fall to 3-10 on the season and 1-1 in MAC play.
"We played tired," Litchfield said. "That's a lack of maturity, and Bowling Green is very hot right now and very tough at home. I'm pretty disappointed we couldn't give a better effort."
Senior outside attacker Kelly Cochran led the Cardinals with 16 kills, seven digs, an ace and a block.
"I think if we would have repeated our effort that we showed on Friday," Litchfield said, "we could have won the match. We were so far off on the side of effort that we didn't stand a prayer."
Ball State was held to its second lowest hitting percentage of the season at .081 while Bowling Green led in all statistical categories.
Up next for Ball State is a non-conference match at Butler University.
"For us at this stage of the season to go on the road and play two very good teams a split is a very positive sign for us," Litchfield said.
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