Ball State University Athletics
Men?s Volleyball Places Two on Preseason All-MIVA Team
December 18, 2006 | Men's Volleyball
Muncie, Ind. - - Senior Nick Meyer (Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller H.S.) and junior Ian Peckler (Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills H.S.) have been named to the 2007 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Shondell/Dunlop Division All-Conference Preseason Team as voted on by the league's seven head coaches. Meyer was selected to the squad for the second-straight season, while this is the first time Peckler has made the list.
In addition, the league announced its preseason rankings which place the Cardinals in the middle of the pack at fourth out of seven teams. IPFW is the favorite to win the league's top division, earning nine points and five first-place votes. Ohio State (17 points, two first-place votes) is second, followed by Loyola (20), Ball State (25), Lewis (36), Quincy (41) and Mercyhurst (48). "I am pleased to see both Nick and Ian recognized as leading performers in our league," said head coach Joel Walton. "Nick has definitely earned the honor, and has been receiving praise from the league's coaches throughout his career. Ian's play has also been exceptional over his career and its nice to finally see him earn some recognition. I feel like we have other players on our team that are capable of being all-conference players and hopefully their being left off this team will give them additional motivation as we enter the season." Meyer, a 6-8 outside attacker, earned praise on the 2006 All-MIVA First Team after finishing the season ranked in the top 10 nationally in points-per-game average (7th, 5.44), kills-per-game average (9th, 4.55) and service aces-per-game average (10th, 0.37). The first player in program history - - and third in the MIVA's top division - - to earn back-to-back MIVA Player of the Week honors, Meyer also became the third player in team annals to earn academic all-district honors when he was named to the 2005-06 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V University Division Men's At-Large First Team. Peckler, an All-MIVA Second Team selection last season, led the league and ranked fifth in the nation with a 2.78 digs-per-game average last season. The 6-3 libero also set the Ball State record for digs in a match with a career-high 29 versus Carthage (Jan. 20, 2006), four better than the previous mark of 25 set by BSU's current head coach on April 1, 1987 versus Ohio State. Under the direction of Walton, who has tallied an 154-82 (.653) record in his previous eight years as head coach, the Cardinals return 10 players and nine letterwinners - - including four starters and the libero - - from last season's squad which posted a 21-7 (8-4 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) record and finished the year ranked 12th nationally. The Cardinals finished third overall in the MIVA standings and advanced to the semifinals of the league's tournament before being eliminated by eventual tournament champion IPFW. The Ball State men's volleyball team enters the 2007 season - - which will be its 44th overall - - with a 954-371-8 (.719) record. Over the previous 43 years, BSU has collected 21 (2002, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1985, 1984, 1979, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1964) Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Regular Season Championships, 14 MIVA Tournament Championships (2002, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1985, 1984, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1964) and advanced to the NCAA Tournament 15 (2002, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1985, 1984, 1979, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970) times.
