Ball State women's volleyball is still searching for its first win of the season after losing to Butler in straight sets (25-18, 25-17, 25-21).
The Cardinals are now 0-8 on the season.
Head coach Kelli Miller said the Cardinals need to step up their effort in order to start winning.
“We have those moments when we play hard for points and then we have those moments where we let up and I think that’s a part of our maturity," Miller said. “I thought at times we were too in and out with our toughness and with our emotional stability.”
After dropping the first set 25-18, the Cardinals kept it closer in the beginning of the second set, working the Bulldogs to a 7-7 tie early on.
Statistics
Ball State Hitting % -.118
Butler Hitting % - .202
Ball State Return % - .838
Butler Return % - .944
Ball State Aces - 3
Butler Aces - 11
Sophomore Butler libero Taylor Takeda, however, served up three aces during a four-point Bulldog run to put Ball State behind 11-7. Butler went on to take the set 25-17.
Takeda finished the game with seven aces. In total, Ball State allowed 11 aces for a return percentage of .838. The Cardinals were also limited to a .118 hitting percentage to the Bulldog's .202 mark.
Still, Miller said the young Cardinals' are improving, albeit gradually.
“It’s another step in our learning process, regardless of outcomes, at least we’re figuring out manipulating pieces from every match," she said. “If we’re taking baby steps, at least it’s steps in the right direction.”
Ball State is back in action Friday at the Morehead State Invitational in Morehead, Kentucky, where the Cardinals take on Northern Kentucky at 1 p.m. and Morehead State at 7 p.m. Saturday, the Cardinals face off against Appalachian State at 11:30 a.m.
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