Fighting to keep their season alive for another day, the volleyball team faltered in its playoff match on Tuesday night against sixth-seeded Ball State. The Bulls lost in five games, 26-30, 30-27, 30-28, 25-30, 15-9.
With the loss, Buffalo finishes the season with an overall record of 14-20. This is the most wins the Bulls have put up since joining the Mid-American Conference in 1998. Ball State advances to the quarterfinals to take on third-seeded Bowling Green.
"We played really well tonight," said Buffalo head coach Jim Lodes. "We were right there and could have won the match. We played with more consistency and there weren't a lot of streaks for either team."
Buffalo came out strong in the first game. The Bulls hit .333 for the game while the Cardinals could only hit .235. With this advantage in hitting percentage, Buffalo pulled out the victory in a close game.
Ball State was able to win the next two games. In the second game, the Cardinals out-hit Buffalo .289 to .244. Ball State's serves were dominant, as they totaled seven service aces, compared to Buffalo's three.
With their season on the line in game four, the Bulls stepped up their play. They hit a game high .390 in this crucial contest, which helped prolong their season for one more game.
"I told the team we had nothing to lose," Lodes said. "Whether we win or lose, just go out and play. Play hard every point and leave your best on the court."
After a great effort in the fourth game, Buffalo couldn't cap off the comeback. Ball State out-played the Bulls in the fifth game and had command of the game through its entirety. The Cardinals out-hit Buffalo .286 to -.048. Buffalo never was able to take the lead in the deciding game.
"Overall, I am proud of the effort put up by this team," Lodes said. "This was one of the best matches played since I've been here, when I joined the team in March of 2005."
The playoff game was a career night for many of the players. Senior Brandie Clark recorded a match-high 61 assists. She also finished with five total blocks, including three solo ones and 14 digs. Sophomore Claudia Neba tallied 21 kills and hit .395 in the match.
Another notable player was senior Jenna Map?(c). Map?(c) had a match-high with 22 kills, which is two shy of her best. Map?(c) also contributed with 14 digs to record a double- double. Senior Nikki Morzenti also played well in her last match. She reached a double-double in kills and digs with 11 and 10.
"The seniors did a great job," Lodes said. "They were our leaders and worked hard to help this team improve."
The Bulls played great defense all night. Buffalo was able to out-dig the Cardinals, 92-79. Five players recorded double-digits in digs for the match. Junior Lizaiha Garcia was the leader for Buffalo as she totaled 30 digs on the night. This made her the all-time single season leader for digs with 545.
The freshmen also contributed well in their first playoff match. The Bulls welcomed back freshman Kelsey Lueders for the playoff contest. Leuders has been out of the lineup since Sept. 23 when she injured her knee. Leuders performed admirably well as she put up eight kills, three digs and two total blocks. Freshman Lauren Fensten helped out in the defensive effort with 18 digs.
Sophomore Alyssa Fitchette had the highest hitting percentage for Buffalo. She finished the evening with nine kills on 15 swings and no errors, which was good for a .600 hitting efficiency.
"For the season, this team took positive steps for the direction that the school is heading towards," Lodes said. "We are further along in the development for the school and are proud of being able to compete against the competition in our conference."
With the graduation of Map?(c), Clark and Morzenti, Buffalo will lose three key starters next season. Ten players are expected to return for the 2007 season.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
