CMU volleyball falls in Ball State series
The Central Michigan University volleyball team celebrates scoring a point during set two at McGuirk Arena, on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. The team will host Akron again on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 for Breast Cancer Awareness. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
It was not quite the underdog story the Chippewas hoped for in their first match in Muncie.
Central Michigan volleyball (9-19, 6-10) suffered a 0-3 loss to Ball State, (20-9, 16-1) who are first in the Mid-American Conference, on Thursday evening. Despite three hard-fought sets, Ball State’s effective offense was too much for the Chippewas.
For CMU, taking both games this week was pivotal in securing a spot in the Mid-American Conference tournament. Unfortunately, their tournament hopes have now been squashed.
The Chippewas ended the night with 33 kills, while Ball State was able to chart 47. Ball State also had a .246 hitting percentage compared to CMU’s .130.
Although the last two sets seemed to be all in Ball State’s favor, Central Michigan brought high intensity to the first one.
In fact, they lead 19-17 late in the first set. That is, until the Cardinals went on a five-point lead to make it 22-19. Central Michigan had 15 kills in this set, the highest of the night.
Natalia Rejment also picked up her 100th career ace in the first set, a significant milestone for this graduating senior.
Rejment and Taylor Cripe both led the team in kills with seven. Grace Thomas was close behind with six. Cripe was also able to pick up 11 digs, and Alina Anderson had 10.
Brooklyn Conner was a strong force at the net, charting 4 blocks, 3 of which were solo.
Game 2
Woes continued for the Chippewas on their second night at Ball State.
In their final match of the season, CMU gave up another 3-0 sweep to Ball State.
The Chippewas had several new pieces to their lineup tonight, with many underclassmen players getting minutes as their season came to a close.
Even with a berth to the MAC tournament firmly secure, the Cardinals were not slacking anywhere on the court. As CMU struggled with a .065 hitting percentage in the first set, recording only nine kills, Ball State dominated with 17, hitting at .382.
The Chippewas would go on to lose the first set 25-18, as the Cardinals capitalized on numerous CMU mistakes. Conner led her team with three kills and a solo block in the set.
CMU made the second set much more competitive, working up to a .394 hitting percentage. The Chippewas ultimately lost the second set 25-23, but not without threatening a comeback with the help of Izzy Swiercz, sophomore outside hitter, and Rejment.
The players combined for the last three CMU points, but Ball State closed out the win with a dominating kill.
The lack of on-court chemistry for the younger CMU players was evident as Ball State started out strong in the third set. In CMU’s final set of the season, they lost 25-15.
Although the offense came off a very productive second set, Ball State never looked back as they took control for most of the third.
Swiercz and Cripe led their team with seven kills each. Conner followed with six kills and four blocks on the night.
Head coach Arielle Wilson ends her first season at CMU with a 9-21 record.
