KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 20-19) in the opening match of its weekend series against MAC West Division leader Ball State on Friday evening at University Arena.
 
Meredith Phillips topped Western Michigan (14-7, 7-3) with a match-high 13 kills on a .360 hitting percentage. Maggie King added 10 kills and 12 digs for her fifth double-double of the campaign. Logan Case handed out a match-high 37 assists for the Broncos, while Mairead Boyle led WMU with 13 digs.
 
Ball State (19-3, 9-1) got off to a fast start, as a 7-0 run helped the Cardinals jump out to a 14-3 lead in the first set. With BSU in front 16-6, Western Michigan tallied nine consecutive points to get back within one, 16-15. Still holding a one-point edge at 18-17, Ball State used a 5-1 surge to stretch the margin to 23-18 and put the first frame beyond WMU's reach.
 
The Broncos started quickly in the second set, as a 6-0 run put WMU in front early, 6-1. Down 14-11, the Cardinals used 4-0 and 5-0 runs to overtake Western Michigan and move ahead, 20-15. The Broncos got back within three a couple of times, but Ball State held off WMU to take a 2-0 lead in the contest.
 
The Cardinals opened the third set with a 5-2 edge, and worked the margin up to 14-9. Western Michigan countered with a 6-1 spurt to even the frame at 15-15. Ball State responded with four of the next five to regain the lead, 19-16. WMU got back level again at 19-19, but the Cardinals notched the next six points to seal the frame and the match.
 
Western Michigan and Ball State continue their weekend series at 3 pm on Saturday afternoon at University Arena. Fans can purchase tickets here. The contest will also be streamed live on Bronco All-Access.