Coach Dave Boos is asking where the Ball State University women's volleyball from two months ago has gone after losing a five-set match Friday night against Bowling Green State University only to follow that effort up with four-set loss against Miami University (10-13, 7-3) on Saturday.
"This match mirrors Friday night's," Boos said. "We started strong and had solid defensive and ball handling, but it diminished."
The Cardinals put together a solid first set performance, utilizing every facet of their game. Ball State received kills from Alisha Green, Kelsey Brandl, Jennifer Boyd, Charde' Phillips, and Hannah Sullivan en route to a 25-21 victory. The clincher was put down with authority by Green, who responded with two clenched fists and an intense scream.
"Every time we play it has to be about our performance, not the other team. It's going to be a three front war with ball handling, serving, and killing the ball," Boos said. "It's going to take a collective effort to shift into the right mindset."
Miami responded in the second and third sets by forcing Ball State into ball handling errors. As a result, the Redhawks went up big in both sets. Cardinal rallies behind the effort of Boyd, Phillips and Brandl came up short though. In the end, Miami won both sets 25-23.
"We can't ask any more of Kelsey. She had four service aces and 14 kills for us," Boos said. "She's developed into an All-MAC player."
A noticeable difference from Saturday night and the previous night was a fiery and vocal attitude by the Cardinals. Perhaps the attitude keyed several jaw-dropping plays by Ball State, including a Phillips kill off the face of a Redhawk and four Brandl service aces.
The attitude wasn't enough however. After an early 4-1 run by the Cardinals, the RedHawks replied with a four-point run and three point run of their own.
A late comeback effort by Ball State created drama as the Cardinals rallied from a 23-15 deficit to close within 24-21. The effort was thwarted by Miami as the last point dropped in front of a diving defender. Miami pulled out the 25-21 victory, ensuring the 3-1 win.
It was another offensive battle between Brandl and Green for leading the Cardinals in kills. A night after posting a career-best 20, Brandl tallied 14. Green and Phillips chipped in eight a piece.
Defensively, libero Alyssa Rio led the Cardinals with 15 digs while Kaylee Schembra added 14. Ball State also out-blocked Miami 10-9.
Players were unavailable for comment following the game due to a team meeting.
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