Ball State came within a game of a sweep against a top Mid-American Conference opponent Saturday night. But on its home floor, Western Michigan just wouldn't accept defeat.
Down 2-0, the Broncos took control of the match to win three straight games and beat Ball State, 3-2 (25-21, 27-25, 16-25, 16-25, 17-15).
Defense was the theme of the match. Both teams earned over 14 blocks and 80 digs and hit slightly below .140 on offense.
Kara Bates set the tone on offense for Ball State with 20 kills and a .278 attack percentage. Sophomore right-side hitter Lauren Grant followed her up with a career-high 15 kills and a .343 success rate.
Sophomore libero Catie Fredrich posted a match-high 23 digs. Senior setter Brittany McGinnis added 15 digs, giving her 1,002 digs in her career. She is the 13th player in program history to reach that plateau.
Junior defensive specialist Lauren Schlaker earned her first career start and finished the match with 13 digs.
Despite some positive performances, Ball State finished the night with little to celebrate.
Sources have confirmed the sophomore setter Jacqui Seidel is out for the season with a knee injury suffered in Wednesday's team practice.
The Cardinals will rely on McGinnis to control the offense moving forward.
With a 22-4 overall record and 11-2 record in the MAC, Ball State will travel to Dekalb, Ill. today to play Northern Illinois (22-5, 11-2) in a chance to keep its MAC Championship hopes alive.
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