Ball State University Athletics
Fredrich Earns Third Straight MAC West Award
October 17, 2011 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - For the third time in as many weeks, Ball State women's volleyball sophomore libero Catie Fredrich (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls H.S.) has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league office.
This is Fredrich's third career MAC Player of the Week honor and the Cardinals' fourth this season, as sophomore middle blocker Mindy Marx was also named the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts the week of Sept. 12-18.
Fredrich helped the Cardinals regain the top spot in the overall MAC standings by guiding BSU's defense in wins over Ohio and Kent State. With the win at Ohio, the Cardinals and Bobcats are tied for first place in the MAC standings with 7-1 league records. By virtue of the head-to-head victory, Ball State, which has a one match lead over both Western Michigan (6-2 MAC) and Northern Illinois (6-2 MAC) in the MAC West Division, would hold the tiebreaker over OU for the No. 1 seed in the upcoming 2011 MAC Tournament.
In last Friday's win at Ohio, BSU's first in Athens since the 2002 season, Fredrich led five Cardinals in double-figures with 17 digs, while posting a .947 (18-for-19) reception percentage. Her efforts in the backcourt helped limit the Ohio offense to a .168 rate of success for the match. She also turned in another solid performance from the service line, keeping all 10 of her attempts in play.
In last Saturday's win at Kent State, Fredrich dominated the back court, collecting 15 digs to help limit the Golden Flashes to a .032 hitting effort for the match. She posted a perfect reception percentage in 12 attempts, while keeping all 11 of her serves in play, including blasting an ace.
For the week, she averaged 4.57 digs-per-set and posted a .969 (31-for-32) reception percentage. Her defensive effort helped limit BSU's opponents to a combined .116 hitting mark.
For the season, Fredrich ranks fourth in the MAC with her 4.49 digs-per-set average. Her .962 (327-for-340) reception percentage is second among Ball State's primary passers, while her .993 (291-for-293) serving percentage leads the squad.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to Worthen Arena for a pair of matches this weekend, as they host Miami (Friday) and Bowling Green (Saturday). Both matches start at 7 p.m. and will be webcasted live by Ball State Sports Link.
In addition, Saturday's match versus Bowling Green will be Ball State's Dig Pink Match. BSU will be selling $1 pink bracelets at the match with proceeds going to the Side-Out Foundation. Fans can also donate online at: http://www.side-out.org/application/ous/fundraising_page/2723
Donations can be made per dig, or fans also have the option to make a flat donation.
