Ball State University Athletics
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Volleyball’s Avila Earns Second Straight MAC Weekly Honor
November 13, 2017 | Women's Volleyball
CLEVELAND, Ohio - - For the second time in as many weeks, Ball State women's volleyball sophomore libero Kate Avila (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division Defensive Player of the Week.
Avila, who averaged 5.44 digs per set in road wins at Northern Illinois (Nov. 10) and Western Michigan (Nov. 11) last week, helped the Cardinals (19-10; 11-5 MAC) secure the MAC West Division championship outright, as well as the third seed in this week's MAC Tournament hosted by Miami (Nov. 16-19).
"Kate set the tone in the backcourt this weekend in two tough road environments," head coach Kelli Miller said. "Each week, she gets more disciplined and more focused and that has allowed her to make more plays. We definitely ask Kate to carry a lot of responsibility in the backcourt, and I am excited for her to be recognized for her efforts two weeks in a row."
A three-time career MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week honoree, Avila helped the Cardinals secure their first MAC West Division crown since 2013 by finishing Friday's match at three-time defending division champion Northern Illinois with a match-high 25 digs. Avila also helped the Cardinals snap a four-match losing streak to the Huskies by adding a perfect reception percentage while facing a team-high 23 serves.
Avila ended the regular season by collecting a team-high 24 digs at Western Michigan, helping the Cardinals secure the third seed in the MAC Tournament with the five-set victory over the Broncos.
Avila enters the MAC Tournament ranked sixth in the league and 41st nationally with a 4.96 digs-per-set average. Her 560 digs total digs on the year are also fifth in the conference and 22nd among all NCAA Division I players.
Next up for Avila and the Ball State women's volleyball team is the quarterfinal round of the 2017 MAC Tournament. The third-seeded Cardinals will play in Friday's 7 p.m. quarterfinal match at Miami University's Millett Hall versus either sixth-seeded Western Michigan or seventh-seeded Central Michigan. The Broncos and Chippewas square off in first round action Thursday at 7 p.m.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @VBCoachMiller on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
Avila, who averaged 5.44 digs per set in road wins at Northern Illinois (Nov. 10) and Western Michigan (Nov. 11) last week, helped the Cardinals (19-10; 11-5 MAC) secure the MAC West Division championship outright, as well as the third seed in this week's MAC Tournament hosted by Miami (Nov. 16-19).
"Kate set the tone in the backcourt this weekend in two tough road environments," head coach Kelli Miller said. "Each week, she gets more disciplined and more focused and that has allowed her to make more plays. We definitely ask Kate to carry a lot of responsibility in the backcourt, and I am excited for her to be recognized for her efforts two weeks in a row."
A three-time career MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week honoree, Avila helped the Cardinals secure their first MAC West Division crown since 2013 by finishing Friday's match at three-time defending division champion Northern Illinois with a match-high 25 digs. Avila also helped the Cardinals snap a four-match losing streak to the Huskies by adding a perfect reception percentage while facing a team-high 23 serves.
Avila ended the regular season by collecting a team-high 24 digs at Western Michigan, helping the Cardinals secure the third seed in the MAC Tournament with the five-set victory over the Broncos.
Avila enters the MAC Tournament ranked sixth in the league and 41st nationally with a 4.96 digs-per-set average. Her 560 digs total digs on the year are also fifth in the conference and 22nd among all NCAA Division I players.
Next up for Avila and the Ball State women's volleyball team is the quarterfinal round of the 2017 MAC Tournament. The third-seeded Cardinals will play in Friday's 7 p.m. quarterfinal match at Miami University's Millett Hall versus either sixth-seeded Western Michigan or seventh-seeded Central Michigan. The Broncos and Chippewas square off in first round action Thursday at 7 p.m.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women's volleyball, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateWVB and @VBCoachMiller on Twitter.
- BallStateSports.com -
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