BY MAX DENARI | BALL STATE SPORTS LINK
The last week in Ball State sports has been one of fabulous team and individual performances all-around. With women’s volleyball winning at Western Michigan and at Buffalo, women’s soccer defeating Western Michigan and Northern Illinois and field hockey grabbing fantastic wins against Michigan State and Longwood.
That being said, let us give our praise and attention to these five individual athletes who have been outstanding and showed their talents last week.
James Gilbert: Football
Sophomore James Gilbert scored two touchdowns Saturday against Central Michigan to bring his season total to eight, which matches his season total last year. On top of that, one of those touchdowns was a career long 47-yard touchdown rush.
In the end, Gilbert marked off a 141-yard game against the Chippewas, his third 100+ yard game this season. Last week against Northern Illinois, he rushed for three touchdowns and 119 yards, putting himself over the 1,000 yard milestone for his career.
Leah Mattingly: Soccer
Senior Leah Mattingly became the all time leader in minutes played for the women’s soccer team in a 2-0 win Sunday at NIU. Over her four-year career so far, she has tracked 7,112 minutes. She has also been selected as one of 30 potential candidates from around the nation eligible for the Senior CLASS Award.
Mattingly scored one of two goals against Western Michigan last Thursday to help put push the Cardinals to a 2-0 victory. Overall this season, Mattingly has grabbed three goals and assisted twice.
Abbey Main: Field Hockey
Junior Abbey Main has been in strong form since the start of October. She scored and assisted in field hockey’s 3-2 win over Michigan State Oct. 2.
Then Sunday, Main continued with a goal as the Cardinals defeated the Longwood Lancers, 2-1. In the last three games, Main has a shot percentage of 100 percent. For the season, Main has two goals and two assists.
Kate Avila: Women’s Volleyball
Freshman libero Kate Avila has been impressive for the volleyball team all season. She has been continuing her form into October with a total of 44 digs so far this month, as well as nine assists. Nineteen of Avila’s digs this month came from a convincing sweep at Buffalo on Oct. 1.
Avila is averaging 4.07 digs per set and has a total of 330 for the season thus far. On top of that Avila has racked up a total of 65 assists and is second overall in assists for Ball State this season.
Michael VanDeventer: Men’s Golf
Junior Michael VanDeventer has been in strong form this last week. At the Firestone Invitational (Oct. 3-4) he finished tied for fifth place overall. The fifth-place finish marks the best of VanDeventer’s college career. VanDeventer was carded scores even-or-better through all rounds of the Invitational. Ball State’s team finished seventh overall out of 16 teams.
Through the first day of play at the Fighting Irish Golf Classic this weekend, VanDeventer is tied for third place with Cardinal teammate Johnny Watts, both two-under par. VanDeventer (along with Watts) shot 68 on the first day marking the lowest round of his college career.
Even though its Fall Break on campus, another week of Ball State sports is ahead. A complete schedule of this week’s event is available at www.ballstatesports.com.
The week is highlighted by soccer looking to keep its unbeaten streak intact against Bowling Green and Toledo at the Briner Sports Complex. Both matches will be produced by Ball State Sports Link on ESPN3.
Log on next Monday, for the next “Cardinals in the Crowd”.
