BALLANCE, GONZALEZ CLAIM FINAL CCAC WEEKLY AWARDS FOR 2023

CHICAGO, Ill. –  The final Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference men's volleyball weekly awards of the 2023 season were handed out on Tuesday morning with Olivet Nazarene University's James Ballance (South Elgin, Ill.) and Tomas Gonzalez (Bogota, Columbia) collecting honors.

Gonzalez was recognized for the third time this season when he was named the CCAC Setter of the Week.  The freshman averaged 8.9 assists and 1.47 digs per set over his four matches.  He also recorded seven blocks and six service aces in his 17 sets played.

Gonzalez recorded 40-plus assists in two of his four matches during the week with his 11.5 average in a four-set victory over Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio) on Saturday topping the list.  He also averaged 10.4 kills in the Tigers' other win, a five-set decision versus Trinity Christian College on Thursday.

Ballance capped off the list of award winners with his first CCAC Defender of the Week recognition.  The junior libero averaged 3.18 digs per set with 15-dig efforts against both Saint Xavier last Tuesday and Mount Vernon Nazarene on Saturday.

Olivet Nazarene finished off the regular season going 2-2 during the week. The Tigers are 18-7 overall and placed tied for second in the league at 11-2.   

--ONU—

*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu