Ball State University Athletics
Matt McCarthy Named MIVA Player of the Week
March 04, 2008 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Matt McCarthy (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South H.S.), a junior middle attacker for the ninth-ranked Ball State men's volleyball team, has been named the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Player of the Week after helping guide the Cardinals to a pair of wins over No. 7 UCLA last weekend in the 2008 Don Shondell/Active Ankle Challenge.
McCarthy is the fourth BSU player to earn the MIVA's weekly award in the last six weeks. Junior outside attacker Patrick Durbin (Louisville, Ky./Trinity H.S.), freshman middle attacker J.D. Gasparovic (St. Louis, Mo./Oakville H.S.) and sophomore setter Ethan Pheister (Shorewood, Wis./Shorewood H.S.) have all earned the honor since Jan. 29. No other school in the league has had more than one selection.
"Matt had a great weekend," said Ball State head coach Joel Walton. "He was the leader in our blocking defense, which was a critical part of our game plan versus UCLA. I am happy to see Matt receive this award, as he has been a great leader for our team all season."
McCarthy, who picks up the league's top weekly honor for the second time in his career, started the week Friday night with six kills and five block assists to help secure BSU's first victory over UCLA since the 1995 season.
In Saturday's match, McCarthy dominated play at the net, logging a career-high 13 total blocks (2 solo and 11 assists) to help the Cardinals sweep the Bruins, marking the first time BSU has won back-to-back matches versus the 19-time national champions. Overall, McCarthy played a role in 13 of the team's 14 total blocks, including the match-winning block. McCarthy also scored six kills in the contest, while handing out an assist.
McCarthy finished the week averaging 3.17 points, 2.57 blocks and 1.71 kills per game.
The Ball State men's volleyball team will play for its eighth straight win Friday, when it travels up I-69 for a pivotal MIVA showdown with No. 15 IPFW. Match time is set for 7 p.m. at the Hilliard Gates Sports Center.
