Nov. 13, 2002

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind.-Miami University's volleyball team fell in three games at Ball State University on Wednesday night, 18-30, 15-30 and 14-30. Miami falls to 8-18 overall and 3-11 in Mid-American Conference play, while Ball State moves to 19-7 overall and 14-1 in league action.

Miami was able to take an early lead in the first game, leading by as many as two points, 5-3 and 6-4, both off kills by junior middle hitter Susan Poll (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Kentwood). Ball State went on a three-point surge to capture a 7-6 edge, but Miami came back to tie things, 8-8. The Cardinals, however, rolled from there to claim the 30-18 game one win.

The second game started off very much like the first with the RedHawks able to 9-7 lead off a kill from junior setter Melinda McCormick (Kalamazoo, Mich./Loy Norrix) and a BSU center line violation. Poll also added a powerful block early in the surge. From there, the Cardinals were rattling off points in chunks of four and eventually took the second game 30-15.

Ball State opened up the third game with a 5-0 run. Freshman Kristin Walters (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) notched kills to put the score at 2-6. Freshman outside hitter Linda Young (Minster, Ohio/Minster) added another two kills to make the score 5-9. BSU went on an 8-0 run to take a 19-7 lead. With game-point on the line, 12-29, sophomore outside hitter Angie Zent (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrup) notched back-to-back kills. Miami's mini-surge, however, was halted as the Cardinals went on to take the third game, 30-14.

Miami returns home to host Western Michigan and Central Michigan on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Match times are 7 p.m.