Across the eight seasons of the Kelli Miller Phillips era at Ball State, the Cardinals have logged six winning seasons, a pair of MAC regular season titles, and three trips to the NCAA Tournament. In spite of the red and white’s success, their dominant start to Mid-American Conference (MAC) play this season has reached unprecedented heights.
The Cardinals downed Akron 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 26-24) on Thursday night to swell their MAC record to 7-0, marking the program's strongest start to the conference schedule since the 2002 championship campaign.
“I felt like we were staying the course,” Ball State head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. “We were making hustle plays, and that is something that I feel like is a step up from what we've been doing, and so I was really proud to see that.”
Miller Phillips attributed the Cardinals’ quick start to MAC play to her team’s comfort in a new lineup.
“I feel like we are starting to settle in and get comfortable because we've started to be consistent in what a lineup is gonna be,” Miller Phillips said. “I feel like there's never been a moment where I felt like we haven't had the desire and intensity to compete in practice.”
Akron, who entered the match tied for the MAC East division lead, was Ball State’s highest-ranked conference opponent to date. Redshirt freshman middle blocker Aniya Kennedy highlighted the Cardinals’ growing confidence as they roll through a competitive MAC slate.
“It was just so important for us to go in and take care of them because we know that any of these matches can come out in a second,” Kennedy said.
Ball State’s home-court triumph was marked by lengthy scoring spurts which provided a decisive edge in all three sets. Although the Cardinals rallied from deficits in each set, their finest run came in the third set. The red and white were down 19-10 late in the third frame and rallied to capture the frame in overtime.
Miller Phillips attributed her team’s late-set heroics to its defensive prowess, as the Cardinals logged 54 digs and nine total blocks. Fifth-year middle blocker Marie Plitt led the red and white’s strong block as she recorded five rejections, while fifth-year libero Havyn Gates logged a team-high in digs (18).
Though Ball State’s defense was at the backbone of the win, the Cardinals’ offense — which recorded 42 kills — provided much-needed sparks late in the match. Aniya Kennedy, the reigning MAC West Offensive Player of the Week, led the charge with 13 kills.
Kennedy said her redshirt season in 2022 has served as the foundation of her breakout campaign.
“It’s mostly just been a lot knowing that I'm in here for a reason and working on the things I know I'm good at, and just really maintaining a focus of coming out on the court ready to play,” Kennedy said.
Freshman Camryn Wise also shined alongside her freshman teammate, recording six kills on a scorching .625 hitting percentage and three total blocks. The Parker City, Indiana, native has been thrust into a major role this season due to key injuries in the front row. Wise said her transition to college volleyball has been aided by upperclassman leadership.
“I've had a lot of help,” Wise said. “It's been a great opportunity for me to come in because I've had [graduate student middle blocker] Marie Plitt, who's in front of me, and then [junior setter] Meg [Wielsonki], which are just great examples. I've learned a lot from them, so I'm just grateful that they've been here and a big part of my success has been because of them.”
In addition to the contributions from the Cardinals’ freshmen, Plitt’s nine kills and freshman middle blocker Kendall Barnes’ five kills also supported their offensive attack. Wielonski orchestrated her hitters’ fine outings as she logged 32 assists.
The Cardinals (10-8, 7-0 MAC) and Zips (10-8, 5-2 MAC) will return to Worthen Arena at 6 p.m. tomorrow for the second half of their season series. The match will host the annual Dig Pink event, a breast cancer awareness tribute.
Miller Phillips is hoping for the Cardinals to improve their defense of Akron’s front-row hitters prior to tomorrow’s matchup and their serve receive, an aspect which she described as “shaky at times.”
Contact Adam Altobella with comments on X @AltobellaAdam or via email at aaltobella@bsu.edu.
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