Ball State University Athletics
BSU Picked to Win MIVA and Three Cardinals Earn a Spot on the Preseason All-MIVA Team
December 17, 2024 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association announced the 2025 Preseason All-MIVA and MIVA Preseason Poll on Tuesday morning.
Ball State, the repeating three-time regular season MIVA Champions, have been picked to win the conference in the preseason poll. The Cardinals also have three players named to the preseason All-MIVA team including Rajé Alleyne, Tinaishe Ndacazocheva and Patrick Rogers.
Alleyne, the powerhouse transfer from Quincy University, had a memorable 2024 season where he led the MIVA in points scored with 421.5 on the season. He also led the conference in kills, recording 366 kills with an average of 4.41 kills per set. Remaining among the conference leaders, Alleyne had the ninth highest average for service aces per set (.33) and the 11th highest hitting percentage (.307). He concluded the season earning American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American Honorable Mention and First Team All-MIVA Honors.
Ndavazocheva has earned his spot on the preseason All-MIVA team for the second time. Last year, Ndavazocheva ranked third in the MIVA for kills (327) and points scored (374.5). He was also a conference leader in hitting percentage (.325), aces (81), digs per set (1.27/103 total) and blocks per set (.51/41 total). Ndavazocheva ended the season being named Second Team AVCA All-American, earned All-MIVA Tournament Team and All-MIVA First Team honors.
In his rookie season for the Cardinals, Rogers was a necessary playmaker on the court. He tallied 269 kills, averaging 3.84 kills per set and hit at a .361 clip. He also averaged .53 blocks per set with a total of 33 block assists and 4 block solos. Rogers ended the season with a total of 310.5 points, received honorable mention on the AVCA All-American Team and earned All-MIVA First Team honors.
This season, the Cardinals will open at home against Wabash College (Jan. 3), followed by another home match hosting Trine University (Jan. 5).
They will begin MIVA action at home on Feb. 6 against Purdue Fort Wayne.
2025 MIVA Preseason Poll
1. Ball State - 81 (9)
2. Loyola Chicago - 66
3. Ohio State - 60
4. Lewis - 58
5. McKendree - 47
6. Lindenwood - 38
7. Purdue Fort Wayne - 25
8. Queens - 20
9. Quincy - 9
2025 Preseason All-MIVA
Patrick Rogers - Ball State
Tinaishe Ndavazocheva - Ball State
Raje Alleyne - Ball State
Max Roquet - Lewis
Nico Paula - Lewis
Ian Schuller - Lindenwood
Daniel Fabikovic - Loyola Chicago
Nicodemus Meyer - Loyola Chicago
*Parker Van Buren - Loyola Chicago
Kevin Schuele - McKendree
Shane Wetzel - Ohio State
Cole Young - Ohio State
*Preseason Player of the Year
