Each week, The Ball State Daily News sports staff picks its PPQ — the player, play and quote of the week. And, with the help of our online readers, the weekly fan choice is also featured.
Here's this week's best:
Player: Billy Ebel, men's volleyball
The senior libero was named MIVA Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, and for good reason. Ebel brought up 41 digs and was a perfect 82-for-82 in serve receptions in the Cardinals' three matches against Penn State, IPFW and Lewis.
Play: Stephen Claypool, baseball
The freshman third baseman stepped to the plate in the bottom of the second of the Cardinals' game Saturday versus Miami with his team down 2-0, but his deep, three-run homer down the right field line gave Ball State a 3-2 lead that it wouldn't relinquish in its 11-7 MAC win.
Quote: "We can't just come out here and put our uniforms on and throw our gloves on and think we're going to beat people — we're not that good. The big thing is we have to come out and play the way we're capable of playing. That's what we're going to have to do to compete with the MAC teams." — Softball coach Craig Nicholson after his team's 5-4 home loss to IPFW on Tuesday.
Fan Choice: Alex Byrm, men's tennis
Byrm collected 32 votes and 59 percent of this week's poll, blowing away baseball's Stephen Claypool, who had nine votes and 17 percent. The freshman from France claimed the match-clinching win at No. 4 singles Saturday against Toledo, defeating the Rockets' Leo Sarria 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-2.
To vote in next week's poll, be sure to visit Monday's online edition of The Ball State Daily News.
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