TOLEDO, OH – Toledo was on its way to winning its conference opener, but couldn't put away Ball State in a 3-2 (25-13, 25-18, 24-26, 11-25, 10-15) setback inside Savage Arena. The defeat drops UT's record to 3-11 overall and 0-1 in the MAC, while the Cardinals' ledger improved to 7-8 overall and 1-0 in league play.
 
Freshman libero Maurissa Leonard topped UT's defensive efforts in the back row with a season-high 32 digs. Leonard was joined by senior S Alex Hines, who tallied career-best 18 defensive saves, and junior DS Maggie Johnston, who added 14. At the net, freshman MB Gracey Tuifua and sophomore MB Rachel Vidourek each recorded four blocks, while sophomore OH Saige Thomas posted three.
 
Thomas led the Rockets' attacking efforts with 16 kills with freshman RSH Carly Townsend right behind her with 14 terminations.

Senior MB Kelly Hopkins paced the Cardinals with 12 kills and a match-high nine blocks. She was part of a Ball State effort that resulted in 19-9 advantage in the blocking department. Senior libero Kati Vasalakis was BSU's defensive leader in the back row with 31 digs.

Toledo was scorching at the start of the match as it plowed through the Cardinals in Set 1, 25-13. Townsend led the Rockets with six kills and a .667 attack percentage. UT posted a .250 ATK% and limited Ball State to a .000 mark.
 
UT carried its intensity into the second set by rolling to a 25-18 win. Townsend continued to lead the Rockets' attack with five kills and a .444 hitting mark. Leonard spearheaded UT's defense with 10 digs and helped limit Ball State to a .042 ATK%.
 
The Cardinals took the court in Set 3 determined to make a comeback. Toledo rallied from a 14-7 deficit and managed to even the score at 23-23. BSU was able to stay alive with a pair of blocks for a 26-24 win.

BSU maintained its momentum and broke away from UT midway through the fourth set. The Rockets never led and saw the Cardinals tally 11 straight points to knot the match at 2-2.

Toledo quickly fell behind in Set 5 with the visitors surging to a 5-1 advantage. Vidourek's kill brought the Rockets to within 7-5, the Cardinals responded with a four-point spurt for a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

The Midnight Blue & Gold is on the road this weekend to face Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. They return to Savage Arena on Oct. 2-3 for a pair of matches against Western Michigan on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Northern Illinois on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.