Offensive Player of the Week
Carson Tyler, Outside Hitter, Ball State
Carson Tyler led all MAC players with a 4.75 kills-per-set average, smashing 38 total kills to lead the Cardinals to a sweep at Butler (Sept. 19) and to a five-set victory over Wright State (Sept. 20), which received votes in the latest Taraflex/AVCA Division I Coaches Poll. Even more impressive, Tyler ranks fourth in the MAC during the week with a .385 hitting percentage.
Tyler started her week with a match-high 13 kills and a career-best .524 (13-2-21) attack percentage in the sweep of the Bulldogs. She followed with a career-high and match-best 25 kills in the win over the Raiders.
In the backcourt, Tyler averaged 1.75 digs per set, with seven digs in each match. She also boasted a .930 (53-for-57) reception percentage.
Defensive Player of the Week
Hatteras Welker, Middle Blocker, Eastern Michigan
Hatteras Welker was a beast up front for the Eagles in three matches, Sept. 16-21. Welker, the conference's leader in total blocks (fifth in the nation - 67), notched 18 of them, averaging an even two per set, as Eastern posted a 2-1 record in matches she played in. The freshman also showcased efficient offense, smacking 14 kills off 25 swings for a .520 hitting percentage. She set a career-best with nine kills and a .692 percentage against Indiana State on Sept. 20. Her .692 clip that day stands as the second-best in a single match in the conference this season. Welker also did work from behind the serving line, landing four aces (0.44/s). Overall, Welker scored 27. o points for EMU, averaging three per set.
Setter of the Week
Megan Wielonski, Ball State
Megan Wielonski led Ball State to a league-high .266 hitting percentage last week by dishing out a MAC-best 10.50 assists per set. The effort helped the Cardinals score a 3-0 win at Butler (Sept. 19) and a 3-2 victory in its home opener versus Wright State (Sept. 20).
She started the week by dishing out 34 assists and leading the Ball State offense to a season-high .341 hitting mark in the sweep over the Bulldogs. She followed with 50 assists against the Raiders, setting the offense to a .225 mark.
Wielonski was just as solid on defense, leading the Cardinals with 27 digs and a 3.38 digs-per-set average. The effort included a season-high 19 digs in the win over WSU. She also added four total blocks to help limit Ball State’s opponents to a league-low .165 rate of success.
