Cardinals fall to Western Michigan in MAC Championship Final
By Daniel Kehn / November 24, 2024Ball State ended the 2024 season with a loss to Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Championship Final.
Ball State ended the 2024 season with a loss to Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Championship Final.
After her post-match interview, Megan Wielonski trotted across the court at the Stroh Center to booming cheers from a Wielonski family contingent of more than a dozen strong.
Ball State Women’s Volleyball (20-9, 15-5 MAC) was unbeaten in 10 matches — even winning 28 consecutive sets. Western Michigan (17-12, 13-5) ended both streaks at Worthen Arena.
Ball State (19-8, 12-4 MAC) only has two remaining matches until the Mid-American Conference Championship Nov. 22
Tonight’s win meant eight on the bounce for the Cardinals and 21 consecutive set wins, a new program record.
Cardinals fall to 7-6 overall and still winless in conference play
Ball State secured a hard-earned victory in its first match at Worthen Arena this season
Daleville volleyball continues impressive season with sweep over Muncie Central.
An unsatisfied Raiders volleyball team beat Muncie Burris tonight in five sets. Wapahani outlasted the Owls after dropping the first and fourth sets.
Losing Marie Plitt and Lauren Gilliland is forcing the Cardinals to evolve. Players like Megan Wielonski and Anaya Kennedy can keep Ball State on track to succeed.
Muncie Burris and Alexandria-Monroe battled it out tonight at the historic Ball Gymnasium. The Owls swept the match 3-0 en route to a win boosting their record on the season to to 6-0. With the loss, Alexandria dropped to 1-4 on the season.
Multiple former Cardinals have played women’s sports professionally while current Ball State student-athletes look towards the same goal.
Clemson (19-13, 8-10 ACC) returned the long-standing favor Friday night, defeating Ball State, 3-2 (26-24, 25-17, 23-25, 18-25, 15-8), in the second round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
In the first round of the 2023 National Invitational Volleyball Championship tournament, Ball State bested Middle Tennessee 3-1. The Cardinals will take on Clemson at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1.
Ball State (16-14, 13-5 MAC) was unable to turn the tide in its budding volleyball rivalry, falling in a tight five-set match (25-21, 25-13, 26-28, 26-28, 14-16) to Bowling Green (18-12, 11-7 MAC) in the opening round of the postseason.
Since Plitt’s first season donning the red and white four years ago, Ball State has added to its rich history. In this span, the Cardinals have compiled a 99-49 overall record, captured a pair of MAC Tournament titles and made three NCAA Tournament appearances.
The red and white extended their streak of recent triumphs Friday night, notching a 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-15, 26-24) victory over Northern Illinois (8-20, 6-10 MAC). Ball State (15-12, 12-4 MAC) will return to Worthen Arena at 6 p.m. Nov. 11 for its home finale and Senior Day festivities.
By sweeping the Cardinals this weekend and extending its winning streak to 15 matches, Western Michigan (25-2, 15-0 MAC) secured the MAC regular season crown and the opportunity to host the conference tournament.
On the heels of a strong defensive effort, Western Michigan (24-2, 14-0 MAC) handed Ball State a 3-1 loss (27-29, 25-21, 25-21, 25-19) inside the Broncos’ University Arena.
“There wasn't a ton of pressure that was put on us, but at least we were staying focused and doing things on our side of the court regardless of what was happening on the other side,” Ball State head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said.
