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

   MUNCIE, Ind. - - For the third time this season, Ball State men’s volleyball senior libero Billy Ebel (Lenexa, Ka./Bishop Miege H.S.) has been named the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Defensive Player of the Week. Ebel also picked up the award in each of the first two weeks of the season.

   “Billy has done a good job for us defensively,” said Ball State head coach Joel Walton. “We are scheming our defense to put him where our opponents hit most of their shots. His passing and digging have both been consistent for our team this season, and he continues to set himself apart as a top defensive player in the country.”

   In last Friday’s four-set victory at George Mason, Ebel paced all players with a match-high 17 digs for a 4.25 digs-per-game average. The effort marked the 11th time this season Ebel has logged double-figure digs in a match. He also finished the contest with a .939 (31 for 33) reception percentage in the contest.

   One night later in the Cardinals sweep of Rutgers-Newark, Ebel led all players with a match-best nine digs. His .960 (24 for 25) reception percentage was also a team-high among BSU’s primary passers.

   Ebel finished the week with a 3.71 digs-per-game average and a .948 (55 for 58) reception percentage. He also added seven total assists, four at George Mason and three at Rutgers-Newark. Ebel enters the week ranked second in the MIVA with a 3.08 digs-per-game average on the season.

   The Ball State men’s volleyball team returns to action at 7:30 p.m. Friday, when it hosts No. 3 Cal-State Northridge in the first of two meetings in the 2010 Don Shondell/Active Ankle Challenge. The two teams will meet again Saturday in another 7:30 p.m. first serve that will be webcasted live by Ball State Sports Link through ballstatesports.com.