Ball State University Athletics
Fredrich Named MAC West Defensive Player of The Week
October 03, 2011 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - For her effort in guiding the Ball State women's volleyball team to sole possession of first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division with wins over Northern Illinois and Western Michigan last weekend, sophomore libero Catie Fredrich has been named the league's West Division Defensive Player of the Week.
This is Fredrich's first career MAC Player of the Week honor and the Cardinals' second 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.
"Catie's career-high dig total and strong passing performance versus Western Michigan are perfect examples of what she has done for the team this season," said Ball State head coach Steve Shondell. "She is a player you can count on to be performing at her best each and every match."
In last Saturday's 3-1 victory over Western Michigan, Fredrich turned in one of the most dominating defensive performances of her career, racking up a career-best and match-high 30 digs to go along with a perfect 1.000 (20-for-20) reception percentage. Her effort on defense helped limit the MAC's fourth-best offense to a .141 hitting mark, well below their average of .231 entering the contest.
In last Friday's 3-2 win over Northern Illinois, Fredrich paced the Ball State defense with 16 digs, while earning a .941 (32-for-34) reception percentage. Her solid defensive play helped limit NIU, which entered the contest ranked first in the MAC with a .275 hitting mark, to a .218 rate of success for the evening.
For the two matches, Fredrich averaged 5.11 digs per set, while posting a .963 reception percentage. She also continued to provide strong play from behind the service line with a 1.000 serving percentage, keeping all 32 of her serves in play while adding an ace.
The first-place Ball State women's volleyball team returns to the road this weekend for league matches at Central Michigan (Friday) and Eastern Michigan (Saturday). Both matches start at 7 p.m.
