Even though its a little bit past the middle of the season, there isn't a better time to do an awards blog than during spring break. If you'd like to see any other award categories that I didn't cover, let me know and I'll add them.
I'll return to these categories at the end of the season and give out the final awards then.
Best Newcomer – Shane Witmer
I came into 2012 expecting Shane Witmer to redshirt.
Whoops.
In only his third collegiate match, Witmer joined the starting lineup at outside attacker. He may be struggling offensively since MIVA play started, but his ball control, passing and improved defense have helped stabilize the position that was up for grabs before the season began.
Through 13 starts, Witmer is hitting .117 (which is greatly affected by a -1.000 hitting percentage against Ohio State) and is third on the team in digs/set with a 1.57 average.
His offensive stats are poor right now, but as a true freshman, Witmer is still trying to figure out his place in collegiate volleyball. Once he finds his spots offensively, he'll be one of the best all-around players on the team.
Honorable mention – David Ryan Vander Meer, Matt Sutherland (first-year player)
Best server – Greg Herceg
Serving is the main reason Herceg has supplanted Jamion Hartley as the team's starting right-side attacker. He's has become a weapon behind the service line and intimidates opponents with a consistently stellar jump serve.
Herceg has been the catalyst of several runs for Ball State over the past few MIVA matches with his serve, and he should stay in the starting lineup as long as he continues to serve well.
Ball State needed someone to step up this season as its top server, and Herceg has filled that role well. Graham McIlvaine has improved behind the line as well since his freshman year.
Honorable mention – Graham McIlvaine, Larry Wrather
Best Offensive Player – Larry Wrather
Larry Wrather is being counted on as the team's No. 1 offensive option for the second season in a row, and for a team that lacks a true game-changing outside attacker, he's done fairly well. Most impressively, he's getting better and better as the season goes along.
Almost all of his stats are similar to what he posted last season at this point, so he's going to have to continue his recent hot streak (hitting .319 in the past five matches) in order to earn improve on his 2011 campaign. The new fast paced offense has definitely benefited him, though. He should only get better as Graham McIlvaine becomes more comfortable with that approach.
Honorable mention – Kevin Owens, Graham McIlvaine
Best Defensive Player – Matt Leske
This could go to either Leske or Owens, and since Owens is about to earn an award a couple paragraphs down, I'll give this one to Leske. He's averaging 1.20 blocks/set and has established himself as one of the most reliable players on the team in his first starting season. He's physical at the net and makes every other player's job easier.
I wasn't sure what to expect out of Leske this season since I had never seen him play before. Nevertheless, he's quickly proven to be the next in line of great Ball State middle attackers.
Honorable mentions: Tommy Rouse, Kevin Owens
Best quote – Shane Witmer
This was a pretty close battle between Witmer and Jamion Hartley. When it comes down to it, Witmer has the edge as the most candid and informative player on the team. He's honest with his evaluations and keeps his expectations realistic and grounded. Best of all,Witmer almost never says any clichés.
In short, he's a reporter's dream.
Witmer is one of the nicest guys on the team, and reporters that cover this team after me will definitely look his way when they need a good quote. He's full of them.
Honorable mention – Jamion Hartley, Larry Wrather
MVP – Kevin Owens
When I sat down with Joel Walton in October to talk about Ball State's preseason, one of the first questions I asked dealt with what area of the team he was concerned about most heading into the season. Even with poor offensive play last year, I expected him to respond with the middle attacker position since Anders Nelson and J.D. Gasparovic were now gone.
It didn't happen.
In fact, Walton didn't sound the least bit concerned about the position. Kevin Owens and Matt Leske may have been two new starters with little playing experience, but they would play, and they would play well in his mind.
We're now two months into the season, and I'd say that Leske, and especially Owens, have greatly exceeded both mind and possibly even Walton's expectations.
Owens has recorded a .407 attack percentage and 1.28 blocks/set through his first 15 matches as a starter, almost mirroring the stats of Anders Nelson in his senior season.
With that in mind, it's almost scary how good Owens can become. He still has plenty of room to grow in only his sophomore season, so it shouldn't come as any surprise if he becomes one of the best middle attackers in the nation in a year or two.
There's even an argument to made that he is one of the best right now.
Honorable mentions: Matt Leske, Larry Wrather
For more men's volleyball coverage, follow me on Twitter at @andrewmishler.
Thanks as always for reading!
-Andrew Mishler
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