Injuries have done its damage to Ball State's front row depth this season. Finding out late Saturday that junior outside hitter Kylee Baker wasn't available had to be a bit nerve racking for coach Steve Shondell.
It didn't take long for true freshman Jenna Spadafora to put Shondell at ease in Ball State's match against Mid-American Conference foe Akron (8-6). Her versatility on the outside helped push Ball State to a four-set win over Akron in her first match with extended playing time.
"I didn't know what to expect," Shondell said. "I mean, how could you [if] she hadn't played all year? She's done some really nice things for us in practice, but we put her out in the bright lights with a big crowd in a big conference match. She just responded to the challenge."
It was only four hours before the match when Spadafora received a text from Shondell, letting her know that Baker wasn't feeling well after she woke up with a bulging disc. She said she found out for sure she would be playing when she arrived to the gym at 5 p.m.
Shondell knew she could fit in as an outside hitter from her years in club volleyball playing on the right side.
"I wanted to let her know [Saturday] afternoon so she could mentally prepare for what might be rather than just spring it on her at game time," Shondell said.
Spadafora couldn't look much more comfortable than she did against Akron. She posted 11 kills and was a nuisance to the Zips with her blocking throughout the match.
Shondell wasn't sure how big of a role she would have in the team's attack. Spadaora said she expected much of her role would be at the net on defense.
"I thought they might just have me out there to block," Spadafora said. "I know they really needed a big block and that's what I was there for, so then getting the sets and kills was just bonus."
Her ascent into a reliable bench piece coincides with Ball State's renewed consistency. The Cardinals have won five straight matches since its disappointing 0-3 trip in Northern Colorado.
Shondell said he was impressed with how well the team played in the final two sets. The first two sets were "a tale of two halves" after Akron made numerous unforced errors in the first. In the second, Akron rebounded and Ball State didn't step up defensively the way it did in sets three and four.
Senior outside hitter Kara Bates led Ball State with 14 kills. She opened the match with a bang on a solo block and did the same thing in the fourth set to cap the victory.
Ever since Shondell had a one-on-one meeting with Bates, the Cardinals have been a different team. Bates has been the main cog in that as her attack percentage has increased during the team's five-match winning streak.
"Her leadership the last two weeks has completely changed our team," Shondell said. "And I give her a lot of credit for that.
"Her relationship with [junior setter] Jacqui Seidel is much more relaxed and positive right now. which has allowed [Seidel] to relax and set her the ball."
Ball State continues its MAC games against Northern Illinois at 7 p.m. (CT) Friday in DeKalb, Ill. It's unclear if Baker will be ready in time for that match but based on her Akron performance, Spadafora will be ready to go again.
"I always tell myself, 'Okay, I could go in, I could go in,' so that way when [Shondell] calls my name I'm not shocked," Spadafora said.
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