Ball State's Billy Ebel Repeats As MIVA Defensive Player Of The Week

MUNCIE, Ind. - - For the second straight week, Ball State men's volleyball senior libero Billy Ebel (Lenexa, Kan./Bishop Miege H.S.) has been named the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Defensive Player of the Week.

   "Our defense has done a great job channeling balls to Billy in the back row," said Ball State men's volleyball head coach Joel Walton. "Billy has used those opportunities to make significant plays for our team. He has been our leader in serve receive, not only with his consistent passing to target, but also by organizing our team's passing scheme."

   Ebel, who is the first and so far only player to pick up the league's top weekly defensive honor, helped the Cardinals open their 2010 home schedule with wins over both first-year MIVA member Grand Canyon and non-conference foe Carthage. In the two matches, Ebel tallied 30 total digs for a 4.29 digs-per-game average. He also posted a perfect 1.000 reception percentage last week.

   In last Friday's home opener versus Grand Canyon, Ebel recorded a season-high and match-best 20 digs. It was the second time in his career the libero had recorded 20-or-more digs in a match, with his career-high of 22 digs coming in the 2009 MIVA Tournament semifinal match versus Lewis. He also passed all 29 serves sent in his direction, while adding three assists.

   In Saturday's win over Carthage, Ebel added a match-best 10 digs and handled 24 serve reception attempts without an error.

   Ebel enters this week with a league-best 4.00 digs-per-game average in both overall and conference statistics.

   The Ball State men's volleyball team returns to action Friday night, when it hosts George Mason in a 7:30 p.m. non-conference showdown at Worthen Arena. The following night, the Cardinals hosts Rutgers-Newark in another 7:30 p.m. match. Admission to all men's volleyball home matches is free.