Offensive Player of the Week
Ava Smith, Outside Hitter, Ball State
Ball State junior outside hitter Ava Smith started #MACtion with a bang, leading all MAC players with a 5.67 kills-per-set average, while ranking third in the league with a .437 hitting percentage. She started the week with a career-high, tying 19 kills in Friday’s sweep over Western Michigan, and followed with 15 more in Saturday’s. The effort helped the Cardinals lead the league with a 17.67 kills-per-set average and a .344 hitting mark. In addition, she served up a team-high four aces, while chipping in 16 digs (2.67 per set).

Defensive Player of the Week
Sophie Ledbetter, Libero, Ball State
Ball State junior libero opened league play with a dominating backcourt effort, leading all MAC players with a 5.67 digs-per-set average. She secured a match-best 17 digs in both sweeps of Western Michigan, helping the Cardinals rank first in the league with a 21.17 digs-per-set average for the week. In addition, Ledbetter earned a .963 reception percentage with just one reception error in 27 attempts, while dishing out 11 total assists.

Setter Pair of the Week
Lindsey Green & Reese Axness, Ball State
Ball State senior setter Lindsey Green and sophomore setter Reese Axness guided the Cardinals to a MAC-leading .344 hitting percentage in a pair of sweeps over Western Michigan. Green led the duo with an 8.00 assists-per-set average, while Axness averaged 5.83, helping Ball State post a league-leading 16.33 assists per set in the first weekend of MAC play. The Cardinals also led the league with a 17.67 kills-per-set average, set up by the dynamic setting duo. Along with their offensive leadership, the pair combined for a 6.17 digs-per-set average, with a 3.50 mark from Green and a 2.67 effort from Axness. The effort helped the Cardinals lead the league with a 21.17 digs-per-set average.