Junior Michaela Graney passes the ball inbounds in Ball State's Field Hockey match against Saint Francis University Aug. 26 at Briner Sports Complex. The Cardinals won 2-1 over Saint Francis in their season opener. Eli Houser, DN

Ball State falls short to Villanova in season opener

As the game was coming to a close with little time on the clock and still down 4-1, it seemed hopeless for the Cardinals to find any sort of life. However, it only took 28 seconds for the Cardinals to make it a one-score game with about three minutes in the game.



Third-year defender Maya Millis dribbles the ball in a game against Mercyhurst Aug. 17 at Briner Sports Complex. Millis had one assist during the game. Mya Cataline, DN
SOCCER

The Cardinals falls to Texas Tech

The Ball State Cardinals traveled to Lubbock, Texas to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in their third game of the season. The Cardinals were defeated 4-1 but kept things even through the first 45 minutes of play at a 1-1 draw. Sophomore Delany Caldwell added the only goal for Ball State in the 36th minute, also securing her first goal of the season.  


Ball State Field Hockey Head Coach Cailtin Walsh coaches the team from the sidelines in a game against Lehigh Sept. 3 at Briner Sports Complex. Amber Pietz, DN
FIELD HOCKEY

Play fast, play forward, play together

“I think just understanding the team better (on what she learned in her first year), I think now knowing our vision, our goals and kind of where we want this program to go,” Walsh said. “I think the team is on board with it. Having that experience and being able to take it to that next level.”


The Ball State Women's Volleyball team celebrates scoring a point in a game against Kent State Nov. 4 at Worthen Arena. Ball State swept Kent State to get their 21st win of the season. Amber Pietz, DN
VOLLEYBALL

Ball State Women’s Volleyball is looking to use the highs and lows of the past to cultivate success in the present

A graduate of Muncie Central High School, the two-time reigning Mid-American Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year has guided the Cardinals to two conference titles and the program’s third-ever NCAA Tournament match win in 2021. Along with success, Miller Phillips wants to maintain that “Ball State Tradition” by instilling the same passion in the athletes who take the hardwood. 


Second-year defender Sami Bird throws the ball in a game against Mercyhurst Aug. 17 at Briner Sports Complex. Bird had one foul during the game. Mya Cataline, DN.
SOCCER

No. 3 Notre Dame beats the Cardinals

The Cardinals find their way home after a 3-0 loss against NCAA’s third-ranked team, Notre Dame. Senior defender Eva Gaetino scored in the 21 minute, assisted by Sophomore midfielder Leah Klenke. Freshman forward Meg Mrowicki found the back of the net in the 38-minute, with an assist from graduate forward Audrey Weiss and graduate midfielder Erin Hohnstein in the 38-minute. 



Delta junior quaterback Bronson Edwards prepares to throw August 18 duirng week one against Muncie Central. Zach Carter, DN.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Delta defeats Muncie Central in first game of the season

In their first game of the 2023 season, the Delta Eagles received the opening kickoff and started to gain momentum. But then, first-year starting quarterback, junior Bronson Edwards, fired an interception near the endzone, which was returned to midfield. “I think it was mainly my mindset because, after that first pick, it kind of looked like everything was just going downhill,” Edwards said. 


Delta junior quraterback Bronson Edwards prepares to throw July 19 at a scrimmage with Jay County. Zach Carter, DN.
FOOTBALL

CARTER: Players to watch

With the 2023 Delaware County high school season starting this Friday, I’ve decided to release the names of players that I think will ball out this season. 


The Tigers celebrate after scoring a point August 17 duirng a game against Brebeuf Jesuit Prepatory. Zach carter, DN.
VOLLEYBALL

Yorktown defeats Brebeuf 3-1 in home opener

Yorktown went into last night’s home opener against Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory having only played one other game (a 3-0 win against Westfield) this season. But the Braves had already played four games and had only lost one set in that stretch. Yet the visiting Braves have now lost four sets as the Tigers came out victorious as they defeated their opponent 3-1, giving Yorktown its second straight win. 



Fourth-year defender Paige Munar defends the ball in a game against Mercyhurst Aug. 17 at Briner Sports Complex. Mya Cataline, DN
SOCCER

Ball State takes the win during their home opener against Mercyhurst

Senior midfielder, Avery Fenchel, took on the first three goals as she stepped out on the field after recovering from last season's ankle injury. “Everyone contributed today,” Fenchel said. Sophomore midfielder, Tori Monaco, assisted two of Fenchel’s goals. Monaco listens to rap artists, Jay Cole and Trippy Red continuously the hour prior to the game to help set her focus and mindset while doing some visualization.  


Yorktown head coach Mike Wilhelm points July 12 at a practice at Yorktown High School. Zach Carter, DN.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Delaware County High School Football Preview

The 2023 Delaware County high school football season is right around the corner as week one will begin on August 18. While some teams are looking to continue with what they worked on last season, others are going to have new looks. But the three goals that are the most prevalent are making their school proud, being the best in the county, and making a run in the playoffs. 


The Delta girls golf team poses with their Delaware County Championship trophy August 12 at the Muncie Elks Golf Course. Zach Carter, DN.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Delta wins team, Wes-Del’s Armington wins individual at 2023 Delaware County Championship

Going into last year’s Delaware County Championship, Delta was hoping to complete the three-peat as they had won the tournament for two straight seasons. But Yorktown would be named the champions by defeating the Eagles by three shots. “Losing by three strokes, it was really painful,” Delta junior Avery Stinson said. Because of that loss, the Eagles had a goal to become county champions once again. And after all 24 competitors turned in their scorecards following some rainy conditions on Saturday afternoon, the blue and gold were named the 2023 Delaware County champions. 


Vlatko Andonovski, Head Coach of USA, talks to Crystal Dunn before the extra time during the FIFA Women; World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Aug. 6, 2023, in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia. (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images/TNS)
NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: US loses to Sweden on penalty kicks in its earliest Women's World Cup exit ever

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The United States played its best game of this Women's World Cup and it wasn't good enough to stop the two-time reigning champions from being eliminated in the round of 16. The Americans' bid to win an unprecedented third consecutive title ended Sunday on penalty kicks. It is the earliest exit in tournament history for the United States, four-time winners of the World Cup.



Fans sit in the stands during a game between Ball State and Northern Illinois Oct. 1 at Scheumann Stadium. Amber Pietz, DN
LOCAL NEWS

Ball State hosting Fan Jam to celebrate fall sports

Ball State is hosting the Annual Fan Jam for area families to celebrate fall sports. The event will be on August 12 a Scheumann Stadium, according to a Ball State Athletics Release. Fan Jam will start at 5:30 p.m. and will have food, games, music, activities and autographs involving athletes from every Ball State fall sports team. Admission will be free to all. 


Ball State soccer huddles together before the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship game against Buffalo. The Cardinals fell 2-0 in their third MAC championship appearance. Joe Gilbert/Ball State Athletics photo courtesy
SOCCER

Duty vs. Desire

After just the third practice back from the offseason, those in the Ball State soccer program gathered together to hear head coach Josh Rife’s closing remarks. The 2021 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year talked about the importance of being battle-tested, and encouraged the Cardinals to continue the energy they’ve brought to camp after just two days back in Muncie.


Megan Rapinoe of the United States scores the teams first goal from a penalty during the Women International Friendly between Sweden and the U.S. at Friends Arena on April 10, 2021 in Solna, Sweden. (Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images/TNS)
NATIONAL NEWS

Associated Press: Relieved Americans escape and move on at the Women's World Cup

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The Americans came into the Women’s World Cup as the two-time defending champions and tournament favorites. By the end of the group stage, they are relieved to still be in the competition. “That was stressful. I was like (expletive),” said United States star Megan Rapinoe, using a curse word to describe her emotions after the team squeezed into the knockout stage with a 0-0 draw against Portugal on Tuesday.


Ball State Sports, photo provided
PEÑA NAMED SOFTBALL HEAD COACH

Helen Peña selected as Ball State Softball head caoch

As associate head coach at Middle Tennessee State University, Peña led the Blue Raiders to their second-ever Conference USA Tournament title. This gave the team a berth in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Final. Before being defeated in the regional by fifth-seed Alabama, the Blue Raiders won three regional games. This is the most wins in a regional by a Conference USA team since 2014. 


Addie Chester waives during introductions of a Louisville soccer game.  Addie Chester, photo provided
WOMEN'S PROFESIONAL SOCCER

Addie Chester: How one small decision led to big achievements

Since she was three years old, Addie Chester’s life was lived through the game of soccer. “I feel like as a kid, it's just kind of what you're good at,” she said. “If you're good at something, you'll keep doing it.” But when she was about to attend Delta High School, she was on the cusp of being done. “Anybody who's played a sport for that long gets burnt out at different times,” she said.


Yorktown senior Kolton Nanko takes prepares to take a hit against Mount Vernon on Oct. 14 at Tiger Stadium in Yorktown, Indiana. Brayden Goins, DN
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Ullom, Nanko will compete in North/South All Star Classic

If an Indiana high school football athlete shines for their school, they could be chosen for the Murat Shrine North/South All-Star Classic, which is held by the Indiana Football Coaches Association. For this year’s 57th annual game, two Delaware County players will play for the North team. Those are Muncie Central’s Josiah Ullom and Yorktown’s Kolton Nanko. 






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