OXFORD, Ohio – – The Ball State women’s volleyball defense set the tone Tuesday night, collecting 78 digs and limiting Miami to a season-low 31 kills in a 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-16) sweep at Millett Hall.
 
With the win, the Cardinals improve to 9-8 overall and to 5-0 in Mid-American Conference play, setting up yet another battle of undefeated MAC teams in Worthen Arena when Toledo (14-3; 5-0 MAC) visits Friday night at 6 p.m. for Red Out Night.
 
Ball State’s 78 digs against the RedHawks (9-8; 3-2 MAC) were the second-best for the squad this season and the most in a three-setter since recording 88 versus Eastern Michigan on Nov. 2, 2013. The defensive effort was led by 18 digs from both sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter and freshman setter Reese Axness.
 
For Axness, the 18 digs were a career high, and combined with 15 assists, helped her achieve her first collegiate assist/dig double-double. Sophomore outside Carson Tyler also finished the match with a double-double, her 10th of the season, with 11 kills and 11 digs.
 
As impressive as the digs were, the Cardinals also won the battle at the net against a Miami squad which entered the night leading the league in blocking. Ball State tallied 9.0 total blocks, led by five from junior middle Gwen Crull. Crull also led squad with a career-high 13 kills and a .522 (13-1-23) attack percentage, while serving up a pair of aces.
 
Overall, the Ball State offense connected for a .225 (50-18-142) rate of success, with junior setter Lindsey Green adding a match-high 17 assists to Axness’ 15. The pair helped graduate outside Noelle VanOort and sophomore opposite Tiffany Snook each collecting eight. 
 
The MAC’s top hitter based on attack percentage, junior middle Camryn Wise added seven kills and hit .429 (7-1-14). Through five MAC matches, Wise has logged 33 kills to just three errors.
 
Also aiding in the solid backcourt effort were Green with nine digs and junior defensive specialist Elizabeth Tabeling with eight. Overall, 10 of the 12 Cardinals to reach the court Tuesday collected at least two digs.
 
Thanks to its solid defensive play, Ball State limited the Miami attack to a .090 (31-19-133) rate of success, its third-lowest mark of the season. Molly Creech led the RedHawks with six kills and 17 digs, while Gentry Warrick was able to tie for match-high honors with five total blocks.