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A former Pacific outside attacker and a member of the U.S. Boys’ Junior National Team highlights the incoming recruiting class for Ball State.
Ball State coach Joel Walton recently announced that five players signed national letters of intent to join the Cardinals for the 2015 season.
Outside attacker Edgardo Cartagena opted to transfer to Ball State after Pacific disband its program following the 2014 season. The sophomore last season played in 17 matches for Pacific and had a 1.45 kills per game average, including season-high eight kills and a .538 attack percentage in a three-game loss to UC San Diego.
Cartagena before arriving at Pacific was a member of the Puerto Rico Youth National Team and helped lead the team to a bronze medal at the NORCECA Tournament.
Matt Walsh, a 6-foot-10 middle attacker from Chicago, was one of 21 players in April selected to the U.S. Men’s Junior National Training Team. In addition, he was a member of the U.S. Boys’ Youth National Team that competed at the 2013 FIVB Boys’ Youth World Championships.
Jose Irizarry, a 5-foot-10 libero from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was a high school all-conference selection during his junior and senior years. He also helped his high school win its sixth consecutive state championship earlier this year.
Mitchel Weiler, a 6-foot-4 outside attacker from Oak Lawn, Ill., was twice named to a Chicago Sun-Times All-State team as a high school player. In addition, he competed at the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships the last two year.
Anthony Lebryk, a 6-foot-6 middle attacker from Glenview, Ill., helped lead his high school team to a fourth-place finish in the Illinois state tournament. The high school senior is also a multi-sport athlete having played on the school’s golf team.
Ball State ended last season at No. 13 in the national coaches poll and reached the MIVA Tournament semifinals before losing to NCAA Tournament participant Lewis in five game.