The Ball State University women's volleyball team didn't reach the five-win mark last season until it defeated the University of Akron on Nov. 3.
This year's squad was able to collect its fifth win, first home win and its first Mid-American Conference victory of the season in its 3-1 (25-20, 25-12, 23-25, 25-13) win against Eastern Michigan University in Worthen Arena Saturday night.
"The biggest thing is that we had an overall good weekend," coach Dave Boos said. "On Friday night [in Ball State's 3-1 loss to Central Michigan], we just couldn't play well at the right points at the end, but we came back on Saturday and thought we played a pretty solid match overall."
Ball State (5-11, 1-1 MAC) was able to benefit from a career-high seven blocks from sophomore opposite side attacker Charde' Phillips, who helped limit the Eagles (6-10, 1-1 MAC) to a .007 attack percentage for the match.
"I think that Charde' did a fantastic job blocking," Boos said. "We had a game plan set up to slow down their hitters, and I think that Charde' and rest of the group executed that very well."
Leading the way for the Cardinals' offense were junior opposite side attacker Elaina Kakatolis and junior outside hitter Julie Breivogel. Kakatolis led the match with 15 kills, while Breivogel's 12 kills and 10 digs earned her second double-double of the weekend.
Defensively, sophomore libero Alyssa Rio had a match-high 24 digs, while freshman setter Brittany McGinnis also had a double-double with 15 digs and 38 assists.
"I thought both [Breivogel and Rio] had really great weekends, and it's a great start for our team in conference," Boos said. "We're going to need those two to continue to play well as we continue through the MAC season, and I totally expect them to do that."
For the Eagles, Victoria Randolph had a team-high 13 kills and added 13 digs, while Kim Jarzynka led Eastern Michigan with 16 digs.
Ball State returns to action on Thursday at the University of Toledo.
Five things to take away1.) Ball State won its first home and conference match of the season against Eastern Michigan on Saturday2.) Sophomore opposite side attacker Charde' Phillips had a career-high seven blocks against the Eagles3.) Junior outside hitter Julie Breivogel - for the second time this weekend - and freshman setter Brittany McGinnis both earned double-doubles against Eastern Michigan.4.) Sophomore libero Alyssa Rio had a match-high 24 digs and junior opposite side attacker Elaina Kakatolis had a match-high 15 kills.5.) The team next plays on Thursday at the University of Toledo.
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