BY MAX DENARI | BALL STATE SPORTS LINK
Last week was another week of high performances from many Ball State Cardinals and their respected sports. This last week highlighted by football and its 31-21 win at Buffalo and soccer pushing its unbeaten streak to 10 straight with a 2-0 win over Bowling Green and a 2-1 win over Toledo. Men’s Golf also finished third out of 15 tams at the Fighting Irish Golf Classic.
Of course, all of this success can be contributed to a full team effort, but there are some tremendous individual performances that must be addressed as well.
James Gilbert: Football
Sophomore James Gilbert has continued to perform for the Cardinals this season, with another resounding, career-high performance of 264 yards and two touchdowns last Saturday against Buffalo. Gilbert now has 10 touchdowns this season alone and 18 total in his career. He rushed for his fourth 100+ yard game, and his rushing performance Saturday was the second-highest ever by a Cardinal. With 854 total rushing yards this season, Gilbert is ranked fourth overall in the nation in that category.
Julia Elvbo: Soccer
Freshman Julia Elvbo was a MAC Women’s Soccer Player of the Week nominee this week. Elvbo scored her third goal of the season in a 2-0 win Friday over Bowling Green, as well as playing all 90 minutes versus Toledo Sunday and helping the Cardinals continue their unbeaten run to 10 games. She is tied for third for goals scored on the Cardinals’ roster, as well as having one assist to her name this season.
Lexi Kavanaugh: Field Hockey
Senior Lexi Kavanaugh was the Cardinals’ star despite a 3-1 loss to La Salle Sunday. Kavanaugh fired five shots with two being on-target and ultimately grabbing one goal. Kavanaugh has scored three goals and grabbed three assists this season which is tied for second in goals and first in assists.
The team will return to action on Friday, Oct. 21 as the Cardinals travel to Missouri State. Ball State’s home finale is slated for Sunday, Oct. 23 at the Briner Sports Complex and streamed live by Sports Link.
Ellie Dunn: Volleyball
Sophomore Ellie Dunn came away with 13 kills and three blocks last Saturday vs. Ohio. Despite the loss, the Cardinals had five players with double digit kills for the first time since the 2013 season.
Dunn’s offensive performances helped the Cardinals continue to grind it out into five sets. Dunn currently has 170 kills and averages 2.43 kills per set, which is the third best on the roster.
A complete schedule of this week’s event is available at www.ballstatesports.com.
The week is highlighted by Homecoming 2016 on campus with football hosting Akron at 3 p.m. Saturday at Scheumann Stadium. Field Hockey hosts Miami in a Senior Day match Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m., which will be streamed live by Sports Link.
Check in next week for our next edition of “Cardinals in the Crowd”.
