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Men’s Volleyball Voted Third in MIVA Preseason Poll, Two Athletes Preseason All-MIVA
December 14, 2017 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's volleyball team was voted third in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association poll announced by the league Thursday morning. The Cardinals received two first place votes along with placing two on the preseason All-MIVA team.
Two-time defending national champions Ohio State were selected to win the 2018 MIVA Championship again this season along with earning six of the possible eight first place votes. Lewis edged Ball State for the second spot. Loyola, McKendree, Lindenwood, Fort Wayne and Quincy round out the poll.
The Cardinals finished the 2017 season with a 19-10 record and a 9-7 mark in conference action. Last year, the Cardinals finished the season fourth in the conference and fell to No. 1 Ohio State in the MIVA semifinals.
Matt Walsh and Matt Szews were the two Cardinals voted to the 2018 preseason All-MIVA team. Walsh, a senior middle attacker, will earn his fourth letter at Ball State this season. Walsh was named First Team All-MIVA last year along with AVCA All-American Honorable Mention. Szews, an outside attacker, enters his second season as a Cardinal after an impressive freshman outing. Szews earned multiple post-season honors including MIVA Co-Freshman of the Year, First Team All-MIVA, MIVA All-Freshmen Team, and AVCA All-American Honorable Mention.
Ball State lost six seniors to graduation, but welcome eight exciting newcomers to the mix. The Cardinals are also returning three seniors, two juniors, and seven sophomores.
The Ball State men's volleyball team will kick off the 2018 season on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 at home against Lees-McRae and Emmanuel.
2018 Preseason Poll
Ranking Points (1st place votes)
1. Ohio State 61 (6)
2. Lewis 54
3. Ball State 50 (2)
4. Loyola 43
5. McKendree 30
6. Lindenwood 22
7. Fort Wayne 20
8. Quincy 8
2018 Preseason All-MIVA Team
Nicolas Szerszen, Ohio St. – Sr. – OH *
Maxime Hervoir, Ohio St. – Sr. – OH
Blake Leeson, Ohio St. – R-Jr. – MB
Jeff Jendryk, Loyola – Sr. – MB
Collin Mahan, Loyola – Jr. – OH
Matt Walsh, Ball St. – Sr. – MB
Matt Szews, Ball St. – So. – OH
Ryan Coenen, Lewis – R-So. – OH
Matt Yoshimoto, Lewis – Jr. – S
Mitch Perinar, Lewis – R-Jr. – OH
Michael Simmons, Lewis – R-Jr. – L
Brendan Schmidt, McKendree – R-Sr. – MB
* 2018 Preseason Player of the Year
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State men's volleyball team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateMVB.
Two-time defending national champions Ohio State were selected to win the 2018 MIVA Championship again this season along with earning six of the possible eight first place votes. Lewis edged Ball State for the second spot. Loyola, McKendree, Lindenwood, Fort Wayne and Quincy round out the poll.
The Cardinals finished the 2017 season with a 19-10 record and a 9-7 mark in conference action. Last year, the Cardinals finished the season fourth in the conference and fell to No. 1 Ohio State in the MIVA semifinals.
Matt Walsh and Matt Szews were the two Cardinals voted to the 2018 preseason All-MIVA team. Walsh, a senior middle attacker, will earn his fourth letter at Ball State this season. Walsh was named First Team All-MIVA last year along with AVCA All-American Honorable Mention. Szews, an outside attacker, enters his second season as a Cardinal after an impressive freshman outing. Szews earned multiple post-season honors including MIVA Co-Freshman of the Year, First Team All-MIVA, MIVA All-Freshmen Team, and AVCA All-American Honorable Mention.
Ball State lost six seniors to graduation, but welcome eight exciting newcomers to the mix. The Cardinals are also returning three seniors, two juniors, and seven sophomores.
The Ball State men's volleyball team will kick off the 2018 season on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 at home against Lees-McRae and Emmanuel.
2018 Preseason Poll
Ranking Points (1st place votes)
1. Ohio State 61 (6)
2. Lewis 54
3. Ball State 50 (2)
4. Loyola 43
5. McKendree 30
6. Lindenwood 22
7. Fort Wayne 20
8. Quincy 8
2018 Preseason All-MIVA Team
Nicolas Szerszen, Ohio St. – Sr. – OH *
Maxime Hervoir, Ohio St. – Sr. – OH
Blake Leeson, Ohio St. – R-Jr. – MB
Jeff Jendryk, Loyola – Sr. – MB
Collin Mahan, Loyola – Jr. – OH
Matt Walsh, Ball St. – Sr. – MB
Matt Szews, Ball St. – So. – OH
Ryan Coenen, Lewis – R-So. – OH
Matt Yoshimoto, Lewis – Jr. – S
Mitch Perinar, Lewis – R-Jr. – OH
Michael Simmons, Lewis – R-Jr. – L
Brendan Schmidt, McKendree – R-Sr. – MB
* 2018 Preseason Player of the Year
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State men's volleyball team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateMVB.
Players Mentioned
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