Five Ball State men's volleyball players were announced as winners for the 2017 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association awards.
Freshman outside attacker Matt Szews was named MIVA Freshman of the Year, All-MIVA first team and All-MIVA freshman team. Junior middle attacker Matt Walsh was named All-MIVA first team. Senior setter Connor Gross was named All-MIVA second team. Senior outside attacker Brendan Surane was an All-MIVA honorable mention and freshman libero Nick Lavanchy was named to the All-MIVA freshman team.
Szews finished third in the MIVA in kills per set (3.47), third in total kills (337) and third in service aces per set (0.37). Szews had a career-high 23 kills in the loss to Grand Canyon on March 2.
Walsh finished second in the MIVA in hitting percentage (.441) and second in blocks per set (1.21). Walsh had a season-high 12 total blocks in a win over Grand Canyon on March 1.
Gross finished seventh in the MIVA in total digs (177) and second in assists per set (10.43). Gross had a season-high 12 digs in the win against Penn State on Jan. 13.
#3 Connor Gross, senior setter
Total digs: 177
Assists per set: 10.43
#4 Nick Lavanchy, freshman libero
Digs per set: 1.98
Total digs: 129
#6 Brendan Surane, senior outside attacker
Kills per set: 2.77
Total kills: 244
#14 Matt Szews, freshman outside attacker
Kills per set: 3.47
Total kills: 337
#16 Matt Walsh, junior middle attacker
Hitting percentage: .441
Blocks per set: 1.21
Surane finished 11th in the MIVA in kills per set (2.77) and 11th in total kills (244). Surane had a season-high 21 kills in the win against George Mason on Jan. 26.
Lavanchy finished sixth in the MIVA in digs per set (1.98) and 16th in total digs (129). Lavanchy had a season-high 15 digs in the win against Princeton on Jan. 5.
The No. 11 Cardinals begin their postseason at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at home against No. 12 Loyola-Chicago.
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