The Ball State women’s volleyball team kicked off the 2025 Mid-American Conference season with an impressive performance, sweeping Buffalo 3-0. They posted a remarkable hitting percentage of .430, a season high, with scores of 25-21, 25-23, and 25-17.
Sophomore Carson Tyler led the team with 18 kills, boasting an impressive hitting percentage of .485. Remarkably, she’s recorded double-digit kills in all 13 matches this season. She also contributed with two aces and five digs.
Graduate Noelle VanOort wasn’t far behind, scoring 12 kills and hitting .440. She nearly achieved her seventh double-double of the season, finishing with nine digs.
Setting duties were shared by junior Lindsey Green and freshman Reese Axness, who recorded 23 and 13 assists, respectively. Green also uncovered two kills and helped with Ball State’s other ace, while Axness added six digs.
On defense, sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter stood out, leading all players with 12 digs. Seven different Cardinals managed at least two kills during the match.
Buffalo’s offense was led by Emerson Matthews, who tallied 15 kills, and Manoela Forlin, with nine. However, Ball State’s defense kept Buffalo in check, limiting their hitting percentage to a mere .236 and allowing just two aces throughout the match.
The match began with Buffalo gaining the first point, but Ball State quickly took control, aided by back-to-back kills from VanOort. Although Buffalo tied the score at 16, Tyler’s contributions later helped Ball State secure the first set.
In the second set, Ball State initially pulled ahead, but Buffalo fought back to even the score at 22. Tyler once again made a critical kill, setting up a set-winning attack error by Buffalo.
Despite Buffalo starting strong in the third set, Ball State’s quick return with a 7-2 run turned the tide. They cruised to victory, capping the match with a winning kill by VanOort.
Looking ahead, Ball State will continue conference play against Akron on Friday at 6 p.m.
In recent years, volleyball has gained popularity at the college level, attracting more fans and increasing engagement on social media. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram have become hotbeds for fan reactions, where highlights and key plays get shared widely. As teams like Ball State continue to excel, it’s clear the sport’s future looks bright.
For those interested in following the team’s progress, you can find their latest updates and stats on the official Ball State athletics page here.
