In an early-season battle for first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division on Saturday night, the Ball State University women's volleyball team lost 3-0 to Western Michigan University.
With the loss to the Broncos, the Cardinals (8-12, 4-2 MAC) were bumped out of a tie for first place in the MAC West Division with Western Michigan and Central Michigan University, who are still leading the pack.
"I think our team knows that we can compete with anybody in the conference," coach Dave Boos said. "We have to find ways to continue to improve every day, and hopefully we can be on top again."
Ball State was, however, able to win its fourth -straight conference match in Friday night's 3-2 (17-25, 30-28, 21-25, 25-19, 15-13) thriller at Northern Illinois University.
Boos said against Northern Illinois, the Cardinals' never-die intensity made up for the slow starts.
"I think it just took us being competitive and focused throughout the whole match," Boos said. "We didn't play our best volleyball of the year, but we definitely played our most competitive volleyball of the year."
In the decisive fifth set, Ball State found itself down 9-2, but turned the tide to win 13 of the final 17 points to defeat the Huskies (11-9, 3-3 MAC).
"We were strategically doing a lot of the same stuff that we were trying throughout the whole match, but come game five, it just clicked," Boos said. "A lot of people made a lot of great plays, and we kept fighting."
The Cardinals had five players with double-digit kills against Northern Illinois.
Outside attacker Elaina Kakatolis led the team with 16 kills, followed by middle blocker Alisha Green (15 kills), outside attacker Hannah Sullivan (12), outside attacker Julie Breivogel (10) and middle blocker Jennifer Boyd (10).
Libero Alyssa Rio had a team-high 22 digs, while freshman libero Kaylee Schembra added 10 for Ball State.
Leading the way for Northern Illinois was Cassie Yates' match-high 18 kills and Maddie Hughes' match-high 28 digs.
Unable to keep the intensity on the road, the Cardinals were swept 3-0 (25-22, 25-11, 25-21) in Sunday's pivotal match against Western Michigan.
Although Ball State got a career-high seven blocks from Boyd and 11 team blocks, the Broncos led in total kills (47 to Ball State's 30) and digs (56 to 46).
"I think we were definitely a little fatigued [against Western Michigan]," Boos said. "I think some of the fatigue both mentally and physically may have been a factor, but you can't rely on some of those excuses - you have to come out and perform."
Kakatolis' eight kills and Green's seven again led the offensive effort for the Cardinals, while Rio had a team-high 14 digs.
Freshman setter Brittany McGinnis was also able to earn her 10th double-double of the season by having 24 assists and 10 digs.
Michelle Moore had a match-high 16 kills while Allyson Doyle had 20 digs and Katie Eberling added 13 for the Broncos (14-3, 5-1 MAC).
Ball State will look to bounce back in its next match Friday night against Kent State University (12-7, 2-4 MAC East).
Five things to take away1. Ball State defeated Northern Illinois University 3-2 Friday before being defeated by Western Michigan University 3-0 Saturday.
2. The Cardinals fell out of first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division with the loss to the Broncos. Western Michigan and Central Michigan University lead with a 5-1 MAC record.
3. Against Northern Illinois, Ball State was down 9-2 in the decisive fifth set before coming back to win.
4. In the Western Michigan match, freshman Jennifer Boyd had a career-high seven blocks.
5. Ball State (8-12, 4-2 MAC) returns at home against Kent State University on Friday night.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
