Full AVCA National Player of the Week Release

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Junior All-Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League outside hitter Michael Beard (Hilliard/Darby) of the Baldwin Wallace University men's volleyball team was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Week.

Beard, who earns his first and the BW men's volleyball program's first national honor, helped the Yellow Jackets go 3-0 last week against non-conference opponents to improve to 11-2 on the year. BW defeated Thiel (Pa.) College and Medaille (N.Y.) University in straight sets and beat Concordia University Chicago in five sets. 

In the win over Concordia Chicago, Beard notched his career-high with a match-high 29 kills (.382) and added eight digs and an ace. Beard averaged 4.45 kills per set on the week and hit an average of .347. 

Against Medaille, Beard tallied seven kills (.500) and four service aces. He totaled 49 kills, 16 digs, six service aces, and two blocks in the three wins.

This season, Beard has posted 150 kills, 66 digs, 28 aces, 14 assists, and 11 blocks. In the MCVL, Beard leads in total kills, is second in kills per set (3.57), leads in service aces, and is second in service aces per set (0.67). 

In his career, he leads the program with 589 kills, 307 digs, 62 aces, 54 blocks, and 39 assists.

BW is back in action on Thursday, February 9 as the team hosts Carlow (Pa.) University for a non-conference match. First serve is set for 7:30 p.m. in the Ursprung Gymnasium inside the Lou Higgins Center.