Ball State University Athletics
Volleyball Sweeps MAC West Division Weekly Awards
September 19, 2016 | Women's Volleyball
CLEVELAND, Ohio - - For their part in guiding the Ball State women's volleyball team to a pair of wins in last weekend's Active Ankle Challenge, sophomore outside hitter Brooklyn Goodsel (Corry, Pa./Corry Area) was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Offensive Player of the Week and freshman libero Kate Avila (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) was named the MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week.
Both players earn MAC weekly honors for the first time in their careers.
Goodsel was named to the Active Ankle Challenge All-Tournament Team after leading the Ball State offense with a .308 (43-11-104) attack percentage and averaging 3.58 kills and 1.92 digs per set last weekend.
“Brooklyn is a versatile player who does a lot for our team,” first-year head coach Kelli Miller said. “She's someone we can count on to score points in a variety of ways and it's nice to be able to have a player like her out on the court. She has really improved her physicality throughout the offseason and you can see that work starting to pay off.”
In Ball State's thrilling 3-2 win over UNCG (Sept. 16), Goodsel recorded her second double-double of the season by blasting a career-high tying 17 kills adding 14 digs. She also served up a pair of aces. Goodsel went on to tally 16 kills in the win over in-state rival Valparaiso (Sept. 16) and a team-high 10 kills versus 19th-ranked Ohio State (Sept. 17).
Avila was also named to the Active Ankle Challenge All-Tournament team after averaging 5.17 digs per set and logging a .966 (56-for-58) reception percentage over Ball State's three matches.
“Kate had been a steady presence in our backcourt throughout the pre-conference and this weekend was no different,” Miller said. “She's continuing to get more comfortable in her role, and in turn, making more and more plays. She really sets the tone for our defense. She's a hard worker and is going to keep getting better.”
Avila recorded double-digit digs in all three matches, including 32 in a four-set win over Valparaiso which equates to an 8.00 digs-per-set average for the match. Avila is one of only two MAC players to record 30-or-more digs in a multiple matches this season. She also earned a perfect reception percentage in two of the three matches, including the weekend finale versus 19th-ranked Ohio State.
The Ball State women's volleyball team turns its attention to MAC play this weekend, as the Cardinals host West Division rivals Central Michigan (Friday) and Eastern Michigan (Saturday) to open league play. Both matches start at 7 p.m. and will be carried live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @VBCoachMiller on Twitter.
Ball State volleyball fans can purchase single match (Adult - $6 / Youth - $4) or season tickets (Adult - $39 / Youth - $25) by calling (888-BSU-TICKET) or visiting the Ball State's Stoops Buick/GMC Ticket Center inside Worthen Arena.
- BallStateSports.com -
