CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa –  Sophomore All-Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League outside hitter Michael Beard (Hilliard/Darby) of the Baldwin Wallace University men's volleyball team was named the MCVL Defensive Player of the Week.

Beard helped his team to a 2-0 record last week as the Yellow Jackets swept both Elmira (N.Y.) College and Thiel (Pa.) College. BW claimed the win over Elmira by set scores of 25-21, 25-22, and 28-26 while beating Thiel by scores of 26-24, 25-18, and 25-20.

Beard earned a double-double in the win against Elmira, tallying 10 digs and 10 kills. Against Thiel, he added another five digs and eight kills. Beard averaged 2.5 digs per set on the week, added three total blocks, and tallied two service aces. 

This season, Beard leads the team so far in kills (43), kills per set (2.87), and digs (22). He is second on the team in service aces (4) and has tallied seven total blocks. In his career, Beard has totaled 230 kills, 121 digs, 21 total blocks, and 17 service aces. 

This is the second MCVL weekly award in Beard's career, previously being named the Offensive Player of the Week on February 25, 2021, during last year's season. Beard is the first Yellow Jacket in program history to receive Defensive Player of the Week honors. 

The Yellow Jackets return to play this Friday, February 4 as they host Geneva (Pa.) College in a non-conference contest. First serve is set for 7:30 p.m. in Ursprung Gymnasiums inside the Lou Higgins Center.