This Sunday, the Western Michigan Broncos and the Ball State Cardinals battled in the 2024 MAC tournament championship. Both teams had won two matches and beaten higher seeded teams to reach this final game.
The Broncos won the match in three straight sets, beating Ball State to take home the MAC tournament championship trophy.
Here’s how things went down.
First Set:
After an incredible rally and great plays by both squads, Western Michigan leads 7-5 at the beginning of the first set.
The Broncos continued to keep their small lead over the Cardinals going into the media timeout with a score of 15-12, managing to maintain the Ball State offense early on.
Coming out of the timeout, the Cardinals went on a 5-0 run and grabbed the lead from WMU 17-15. They would lose this momentum almost, and head coach Kelli Miller Phillips was forced to call a timeout with Western now up 20-19.
The Broncos then continued their run through the timeout and reached a set point before Ball State scored another point. They then went on to win the set over the Cardinals 25-21 and lead 1-0.
Second Set:
Ball State calls their second timeout of the match after two questionable calls by the officials resulted in a 9-3 Bronco lead.
Another timeout was taken by BSU after Western Michigan went up even further to 14-5. WMU got to the 20-point mark first, they led 20-10, truly dominating the Cardinals in the second set.
The Broncos continue to roll, and they run right into the third set with a 2-0 lead. They beat Ball State 25-12 in the second set, showing off that poise and experience in this championship match.
Third Set:
Western Michigan went on an immediate four-point run to start the third set, prompting a BSU timeout.
The Western Michigan crowd had been involved and loud the whole match, but they seemed overwhelming in the third set, especially as the Broncos took a 12-4 advantage.
While the Western fans got louder, the Ball State fans got quieter, as Western Michigan reached 20 before the Cardinals reached 10, leading 20-9.
Fifth-year setter Logan Case of Western Michigan had ice in her veins late in this set, holding up a number one as WMU went up 24-12, her eyes set on the MAC tournament trophy.
The Broncos closed out the match, winning 25-13, sweeping the Cardinals, and taking home the MAC tournament championship.
A great win for a veteran team that deserves every bit of it. They battled hard all year to be here, and as for their veterans, their time as a Bronco has come to a close on a high note.
Ball State will look to bounce back next year, which may not be hard, considering the high levels of young talent they have on their roster.
Case won the MAC tournament MVP, playing extremely well all tournament and all year long, leading all players in assists and assists per set.
WMU senior outside hitter Julia Marr led both teams in kills with 14 on a .382 hitting percentage. She also led the match with five total blocks for the Broncos.
The end of this game brings the MAC season to a close. A year that was filled with shocking games, highlight plays, and beautiful storylines.
