Meredith Ballard was named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division III National Player of the Week by the American Volleyball Coaches Association for her performances during the first round of Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference crossover matches.
 
In just the fourth week of her collegiate career, Ballard posted a combined .638 hitting percentage with 41 kills on 58 attacks as Colorado College won all four of its matches and 12 of 13 sets.
 
Ballard reached double figures with 11 kills and hit .500 as the Tigers rallied to defeat Millsaps College 23-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-20 in its first match of the weekend. She also had a season-high eight digs against the Majors.
 
The native of Libertyville, Ill., hit .800 with eight kills on 10 attacks in a 25-22, 25-16, 25-21 victory over Rhodes and .500 with six kills in a 25-20, 25-14, 25-10 win against Hendrix College.
 
In the final match of the weekend, Ballard recorded a season-best 15 kills and a .700 hitting percentage during a 25-20, 25-22, 25-23 sweep of No. 24 Austin College on the Kangaroos' home court.
 
"Meredith had an unbelievable weekend," head coach Rick Swan said. "Every time she was set, something good happened. We knew it was only a matter of time before Meredith adjusted to the speed of the college game and the quickness of our offense. She's got great potential and the ability to dominate a match."
 
Ballard joined All-American Sarah Boyles, who received the honor as a junior on Oct. 8, 2001, as the first two Colorado College players to earn the award since its inception in 1998.
 
Ballard remains the only first-year Tiger to receive the honor.