Ball State University Athletics
Four-In-A-Row, Fredrich Defensive Player of the Week
October 24, 2011 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - After turning in another stellar weekend in the backcourt, Ball State 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 for the fourth consecutive week. Fredrich shares the honor with Central Michigan's Jenna Coates.
Fredrich is the first player in league history to be named the MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week for four consecutive weeks.
This is Fredrich's fourth career MAC Player of the Week honor and the Cardinals' fifth this season, as sophomore middle blocker Mindy Marx (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven H.S.) was also named the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts the week of Sept. 12-18.
Fredrich turned in a pair of solid defensive performances to help the Ball State women's volleyball team pull out to a one-match lead in the Mid-American Conference standings. In matches versus Miami and Bowling Green, Fredrich averaged 6.67 digs-per-set, while earning a .957 reception percentage (22-for-23) and a .968 (30-for-31) service percentage and a pair of aces. She also helped limit BSU's opponents to a .159 hitting percentage.
In Friday's four-set victory over Miami, Fredrich paced all players and tied her career-high with 31 digs, while posting a perfect 1.000 (13-for-13) reception percentage. Her effort in the backcourt helped limit the RedHawks to a .172 hitting effort for the match. She also turned in another dominating serving effort, keeping 19 of her 20 serves in play to pace all players in points served, while adding an ace.
In Saturday's sweep of the Falcons, Fredrich added a team-high 16 digs and posted a .900 (9-for-10) reception percentage. Her play in the backrow helped limit the league's second-best offense to a .142 hitting effort for the match. She was also perfect from the service line, keeping all 10 of her serves in play and adding an ace.
For the season, Fredrich ranks fourth in the MAC with her 4.68 digs-per-set average. Her .961 (349-for-363) reception percentage is second among Ball State's primary passers, while her .991 (321-for-324) serving percentage leads the squad.
The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Thursday, when it travels to Toledo for a 7 p.m. showdown versus the Rockets. BSU returns home Saturday for a 7 p.m. "Hawaiian Night" versus Buffalo.
