MUNCIE, Ind. – As the seventh-ranked Ball State men's volleyball team nears the end of the 2026 regular season this week at home, senior outside hitter Patrick Rogers has advanced as one of eight semifinalists for the 2026 American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year. 

Earlier this year, the AVCA created a first-ever Watch List for its National Collegiate Men's Player of the Year Award. There were 15 players from 11 different schools on this inaugural list, including seven seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, and one freshman.

The AVCA will name the four Finalists will be named shortly before the 2026 National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship with the announcement of the Player of the Year taking place Friday, May 8, in Los Angeles at an awards banquet during the Championship.

As of April 7, Rogers ranks fifth in the nation in hitting percentage (.414), 11th in kills per set (3.82), ninth in points per set (4.54) and 31st in aces per set (0.40).
 
2026 Men's National Collegiate Men's Player of the Year Semifinalists
Cole Hartke, Pepperdine
Sean Kelly, UCLA
Dillon Klein, USC
Zach Rama, UCLA
Patrick Rogers, Ball State
Andrew Rowan, UCLA
Tread Rosenthal, Hawai'i
Skyler Varga, Long Beach State