Back home again in Indiana, the start of Mid-American Conference play and a long awaited return from injury by starting libero Alyssa Rio had all the makings for a big night.
Fans weren't disappointed as the Ball State University women's volleyball team steamrolled Northern Illinois University in three sets. Riding a wave of emotion, the Cardinals improved to 8-6, 1-0 with a 25-13, 25-15, 25-16 victory on Friday at Worthen Arena.
"It was all about executing the game plan and the girls did that," coach Dave Boos said. "I'm proud of them going out there and doing what they we wanted them to do. We flat out, out ball handled them tonight and it all starts up front with the block and then digging."
The Cardinals took a 6-2 lead early in the first set behind outside attacker Alisha Green and middle attacker Charde' Phillips. Ball State cruised to a 25-13 win in the first set, which it never trailed.
"We were really motivated for [the match]," Green said. "I missed Rio in the past because I feed off her. We all feed off her and having her back, starting the MAC season off, and being at home we were just really motivated to win."
The Huskies regained their composure after dropping the first set and pushed the Cardinals early in the second set, even taking a brief 9-8 lead. Falling behind woke up the Ball State attack however.
"We're a dangerous defensive team. We're doing well in the transition from the dig and passing to set up the kill and then killing the ball," Boos said.
A 12-2 run that often left the Huskies shaking their heads assisted the Cardinals to a 25-15 victory in the second set.
"We didn't want to battle them," Green said. "We battled them twice last year, and we just said we didn't want anything to do with that this year and then we went out and proved it."
At one point sophomore middle attacker Kelsey Brandl tallied four of Ball State's six points. Rio also said the big lead in the second set made her feel more comfortable on the court after returning for her first match since injuring her hamstring in the season opener.
"It feels awesome to be back," Rio said. "We talked all week about beating NIU and having the cushion to get me going and comfortable was great and so helpful."
Coming out of the break, the Huskies took a 7-4 lead.However, Jule Breivogel, Elaina Kakatolis, Brittany McGinnis, and Green powered away for a 25-16 win.
"It's about the confidence. I knew they were going to set it and I just went up. Charde' went up with me and we blocked it," Green said. "We've worked hard for this and are having a lot of fun, but we're not taking anyone for granted."
Ball State returns to action against Western Michigan University at 7 p.m. Saturday at Worthen Arena.
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