Matt Gallik Named MIVA Offensive Player Of The Week

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Lewis sophomore middle hitter Matt Gallik (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) has been named the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Offensive Player of the Week.

In three matches last week Gallik averaged 3.96 points, 3.00 kills and 1.67 blocks per game while hitting .413.

In a 3-1 loss at defending national champion UC Irvine on Monday, Gallik recorded 12 kills while hitting .421. Defensively he added four block assists. He had nine kills (.471), one assist and four block assists in a three-set loss to No. 13 UC San Diego Friday. Gallik helped the Flyers comeback a day later and defeat the Tirtons of UC San Diego on Saturday. In the 3-2 win, Gallik recorded his first career double-double with a team-high 15 kills and a match-high 12 blocks (three solos and nine assists). He hit .370 in the match and recorded five kills in the fifth set including the match winning kill.

“Matt stepped up his level of play against two of the better teams in the country,” head coach Dan Friend said. “The award is great for him and the team.”

The player of the week honor is Gallik’s first of his career. It is Lewis’ second of the season after senior setter Mike Iandolo (Orlando, Fla./Long Beach State) took home Defensive Player of the Week on Feb. 22.

The No. 15 Flyers are 12-6 this year with a 3-2 MIVA record. Lewis hosts Juniata on Friday at 7 p.m.