Ball State's Billy Ebel Collects Sixth MIVA Defensive Player of the Week Award

   MUNCIE, Ind. - - After another solid weekend of backcourt play, Ball State men's volleyball senior libero Billy Ebel (Lenexa, Kan./Bishop Miege H.S.) picked up Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Defensive Player of the Week honors for the third straight week and sixth time this season.

   This is the first year for the league's weekly defensive award and Ebel leads all MIVA players with six selections. Ebel earned the honor in each of the first two weeks of the regular season (Jan. 19 & Jan. 25) and then again in four of the past five weeks (March 22, April 5, April 12 & April 19). IPFW's Shaun Dryden and Ohio State's Mik Berzins are tied for second with two awards each.

   Ebel helped guide the Cardinals to a 1-1 record last week by posting a team-high 20 digs for a 3.33 digs-per-game average. In addition, he posted a .966 (28 for 29) reception percentage in the two matches.

   In Friday's showdown at No. 11 Ohio State, Ebel led all players with seven digs, while posting a .917 (11 for 12) reception percentage. Ebel followed with a match-best 13 digs in Saturday's sweep of No. 13 Loyola, while adding a perfect 1.000 (17 for 17) reception percentage.

   With his 20 digs last week, Ebel upped his season total to 314 which is a Ball State rally scoring era single-season record, topping the previous mark to 304 set by Ian Peckler in 2008.

   The Ball State men's volleyball team returns to action Saturday, when it hosts IPFW in the quarterfinal round of the 2010 MIVA Tournament. Match time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Worthen Arena.