After recording 13 blocks and helping limit Mount Olive to a .078 attack percentage and Park to a .000 attack percentage in two matches last weekend, sophomore middle attacker Kevin Owens was named the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.
In only his first season as a starter, Owens has already become one of Ball State's best all-around players.
He currently ranks as Ball State's best blocker with 1.28 blocks per set, followed by fellow sophomore middle attacker Matt Leske with 1.20 blocks per set.
Owens has no such close competitor on offense. He has hit .407 through 54 sets of play, which would rank as one of the nation's best percentages if Owens, who averages 3.78 attacks per set, was eligible for the list. Those included need to average at least four attacks per set.
Owens' production through 15 matches coincidentally enough compares well to one of the very players he replaced this season.
Anders Nelson, a recent graduate who led Ball State to the No. 1 ranking in blocking in the nation last season, hit a .406 attack percentage and averaged 1.30 blocks per set in his senior campaign.
With eight of Ball State's next nine regular season matches played on the road, Owens' consistent all-around play will be needed more than ever.
Ball State's next match is on the West Coast against Cal-State Northridge on March 7.
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