Ball State University Athletics
Rio Earns Fourth MAC West Defensive Honor
November 15, 2010 | Women's Volleyball
?? MUNCIE, Ind. - - After helping the Ball State women's volleyball team close out the 2010 regular season with a pair of home wins, senior libero Alyssa Rio (Wayne, Ill./St. Francis H.S.) has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division Defensive Player of the Week for the fourth time this season.
?? "Alyssa did what she has been doing all year, digging everything hit her way last weekend," said Ball State head coach Steve Shondell. "Her drive and determination not to let anything hit the floor has played a key role in taking our program where it is today. She is having an All-American type year."
?? A five-time career honoree, Rio helped guide the Cardinals to a pair of Mid-American Conference wins last weekend by pacing the club with a 7.14 digs-per-set average and posting a perfect 1.000 reception percentage (26 for 26) in wins over Toledo and Akron.
?? Thursday, Rio led the Cardinals to a 3-0 sweep of Toledo and sole possession of the 2010 MAC Regular Season title with a match-best 21 digs. In the match, she also successfully passed all 14 balls served her way, while handing out a pair of assists.
?? Saturday, Rio collected a match-best 29 digs in the regular season-ending victory over Akron, helping the Cardinals finish the year with a perfect 12-0 record at home . In addition to making some stellar defensive plays, Rio added an ace and a kill, while passing all 12 balls served at her.
?? With her 7.14 digs-per-set average for the week, Rio raised her season average to 5.88 which currently leads the nation. Valparaiso's Taylor Root is currently second in the nation to Rio at 5.82.
?? The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Friday as the No. 1 seed in the 2010 Mid-American Conference Tournament, where it will face the winner of No. 8 Toledo vs. No. 9 Kent State in the 4:30 p.m. quarterfinal match at the SeaGate Centre in Toledo, Ohio.
