Ball State University Athletics
WVB?s Kitchel Named MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week
October 27, 2015 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - For her part in helping guide the Ball State women's volleyball team to a pair of wins last weekend, redshirt junior outside attacker Mackenzie Kitchel (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove/Cincinnati) has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division Offensive Player of the Week.
A first-time career MAC Player of the Week honoree, Kitchel averaged 4.00 kills per set and hit an astonishing .413 (24-5-46) from the outside last weekend. Playing in just three rotations, Kitchel dominated opposing defenses by smashing a match-high 12 kills against both Miami (Oct. 23) and Bowling Green (Oct 24).
“Mackenzie put together maybe the best weekend of her career,” Ball State head coach Steve Shondell said when asked about Kitchel's performance last weekend. “Right now, I think she is playing the best volleyball of her life. She has improved dramatically as a passer, blocker and attacker over the past few weeks. It has all just come together for her. I am really excited she earned this award, as she has worked so hard to come back from multiple injuries dating back to her freshman year.”
In the battle versus the MAC East Division's second-place RedHawks, Kitchel connected for her 12 kills on 29 swings with just three errors to finish the contest hitting .310. She also tallied three digs and a pair of blocks. In the victory over the Falcons, Kitchel hit a career-best .588, with 12 kills on 17 swings and just two errors. She also notched one of the matches' two solo blocks.
Kitchel's .413 attack percentage for the weekend is the best two-match average of her entire career, while she collected back-to-back double-digit kill totals for just the fourth time in a Ball State uniform.
The Ball State women's volleyball team closes out its current four-match home stand next week, with a Thursday match versus travel partner Toledo and a Saturday showdown versus Buffalo. Both matches are set for 7 p.m. first serves, with Thursday's also being broadcast live by ESPN3.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @SteveShondell on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
