Ball State University Athletics
Matt McCarthy Named MIVA Player of the Week
April 24, 2007 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - After helping guide the No. 13 Ball State men's volleyball team to a 3-0 (30-26, 30-27, 30-26) victory over Lewis in MIVA Tournament quarterfinal action last Saturday, sophomore middle attacker Matt McCarthy (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South H.S.) has been named the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Player of the Week. This is McCarthy's first career MIVA Player of the Week selection and the fifth for the Cardinals this season.
"Matt has provided the team with consistent blocking and offense all season," said BSU head coach Joel Walton. "Every time I watch Matt, I am impressed by his understanding of the game and his ability to be in the right spot on almost every play. I am also amazed at how well he has played in spite of suffering a stress fracture in his back early in the season." In last Saturday's win over the Flyers, McCarthy paced all players with a .588 attack percentage, recording 11 kills on 17 attempts with just one error. In the second game, McCarthy collected five kills, while adding a pair of assists and two blocks to account for nine of BSU's 30 points. In addition to his solid offensive numbers, McCarthy finished the match with a career-high six digs. Of the six digs, three came late in the third game, as McCarthy's defense helped the Cardinals break a 24-24 tie and pull ahead 28-24, en route to winning the game 30-26. McCarthy also paced the Ball State defense with five total blocks - - one solo and four assists. Ball State continues play in the 2007 MIVA Tournament Thursday, when it battles top-seed and host No. 6 Ohio State in the 7:30 p.m. semifinal match at St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
