Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Rogers Named as Finalist for 2026 AVCA Player of the Year
May 05, 2026 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. – While the Ball State men's volleyball team prepares for its 17th NCAA Semifinal appearance at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion this weekend, the American Volleyball Coaches Association has named Patrick Rogers as one of four finalists for the 2026 National Collegiate Men's Player of the Year award.
Earlier this year, the AVCA created a first-ever watch list for the award. There were 15 players from 11 different schools on this inaugural list, including seven seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, and one freshman. Rogers advanced to the list of eight semifinalists on April 8 and now represents the Cardinals as a finalist alongside UCLA's Andrew Rowan, Hawaii's Tread Rosenthal and Pepperdine's Cole Hartke.
The announcement of the AVCA's 2026 Player of the Year will take place Friday, May 8, at the Luskin Hotel on UCLA's campus during the NCAA Championship Banquet.
As the leading attacker for the Cardinals, Patrick Rogers has complied a phenomenal senior campaign in 2026. A three-time MIVA Offensive Player of the Week in this year, the New jersey native earned the league's player of the year award as well as first team All-MIVA at the end of the regular season. Rogers continued his dominance into the postseason, being declared MIVA Tournament MVP after leading the Cardinals to three straight sweeps to take the MIVA Tournament Championship. During Ball State's trip to the First Point Collegiate Challenge earlier this season, Rogers surpassed the 1,000-kill milestone against No. 1 UCLA, striking down 17 kills in the contest (Jan. 17).
In the NCAA Regional Final versus Pepperdine, Rogers sealed a hard-fought five-set victory over the Waves with a pair of clutch service aces following his aid in a triple block that awarded Ball State its second semifinal appearance in five years, and its first win over Pepperdine since 1997. Rogers finished that night with 15 kills and four aces along with a match-high nine digs and two blocks.
Statistically, Rogers ranks sixth in the NCAA in kills per set (3.94), third in points per set (4.72), seventh in hitting (.405) and 14th in aces per set (.47).
The Cardinals aim to capture its first national championship appearance as the unit battles UC Irvine May 9 at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT. The contest will stream live on ESPN+.
Earlier this year, the AVCA created a first-ever watch list for the award. There were 15 players from 11 different schools on this inaugural list, including seven seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, and one freshman. Rogers advanced to the list of eight semifinalists on April 8 and now represents the Cardinals as a finalist alongside UCLA's Andrew Rowan, Hawaii's Tread Rosenthal and Pepperdine's Cole Hartke.
The announcement of the AVCA's 2026 Player of the Year will take place Friday, May 8, at the Luskin Hotel on UCLA's campus during the NCAA Championship Banquet.
As the leading attacker for the Cardinals, Patrick Rogers has complied a phenomenal senior campaign in 2026. A three-time MIVA Offensive Player of the Week in this year, the New jersey native earned the league's player of the year award as well as first team All-MIVA at the end of the regular season. Rogers continued his dominance into the postseason, being declared MIVA Tournament MVP after leading the Cardinals to three straight sweeps to take the MIVA Tournament Championship. During Ball State's trip to the First Point Collegiate Challenge earlier this season, Rogers surpassed the 1,000-kill milestone against No. 1 UCLA, striking down 17 kills in the contest (Jan. 17).
In the NCAA Regional Final versus Pepperdine, Rogers sealed a hard-fought five-set victory over the Waves with a pair of clutch service aces following his aid in a triple block that awarded Ball State its second semifinal appearance in five years, and its first win over Pepperdine since 1997. Rogers finished that night with 15 kills and four aces along with a match-high nine digs and two blocks.
Statistically, Rogers ranks sixth in the NCAA in kills per set (3.94), third in points per set (4.72), seventh in hitting (.405) and 14th in aces per set (.47).
The Cardinals aim to capture its first national championship appearance as the unit battles UC Irvine May 9 at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT. The contest will stream live on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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