NAPERVILLE — A 2-0 week for third-ranked Carthage and a historic conference stretch for Illinois Wesleyan resulted in the latest College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Volleyball Student-Athletes of the Week selections. 
 
Carthage senior Ryan Bartz was named Hitter of the Week, teammate Ryan Morey earned Setter of the Week and Illinois Wesleyan sophomore Ben Zima received Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week honors.
 
Hitter: Ryan Bartz, Carthage
Bartz helped power Carthage through sweeps of St. Norbert and Augustana. The senior outside hitter from Muskego, Wis., totaled 27 kills with just four errors on 49 attempts for a .469 hitting percentage across the two matches. He posted match highs of 12 kills against St. Norbert and 15 kills against Augustana. Bartz also added 20 digs, four aces and three blocks as the Firebirds remained unbeaten in conference play.
 
Setter: Ryan Morey, Carthage
Morey directed the Carthage offense during its road sweep of Augustana. The Redwood City, Calif. native recorded a season-high 45 assists against the Vikings, marking the first time this season he has surpassed 40 assists in a three-set match. He helped guide the Firebirds to a .421 team hitting percentage in the match, including a .630 mark in the second set. Morey also contributed eight digs and one block assist.
 
Defensive: Ben Zima, Illinois Wesleyan
Zima, a sophomore from Glen Ellyn Ill., was recognized after helping Illinois Wesleyan to a notable week in conference play. Zima recorded 26 digs, averaging 3.25 per set, over two matches. 
 
He opened the week with 13 digs and four assists in a five-set win over No. 11 Loras, which marked the highest-ranked victory in program history. Zima followed with 13 digs in a sweep of North Park, tying the program record for digs in a three-set match. His efforts helped IWU hold opponents to a combined .171 hitting percentage while the Titans reached the halfway point of conference play with their best league start in program history.

2026 CCIW Men's Volleyball Student-Athletes of the Week
Hitter
March 9: Ryan Bartz, Carthage
March 2: Ben Heise, Carthage
Feb. 24: Ben Heise, Carthage
Feb. 16: Aydin Provost, Illinois Wesleyan
Feb. 9: Ryan Bartz, Carthage
Feb. 2: Aydin Provost, Illinois Wesleyan
Jan. 26: Ryan Bartz, Carthage
Jan. 19: Aydin Provost, Illinois Wesleyan

Setter
March 9: Ryan Morey, Carthage
March 2: Ethan Kuziela, Illinois Wesleyan
Feb. 24: Colin Schaefer, Augustana
Feb. 16: Ethan Kuziela, Illinois Wesleyan
Feb. 9: Ethan Kuziela, Illinois Wesleyan
Feb. 2: Evan Dziadkowiec, Loras
Jan. 26: Evan Dziadkowiec, Loras
Jan. 19: Ethan Kuziela, Illinois Wesleyan

Defensive
March 9: Ben Zima, Illinois Wesleyan
March 2: Colin Alvers, Augustana
Feb. 24: Owen Hendricks, Carthage
Feb. 16: Colin Alvers, Augustana
Feb. 9: Chris Mactal, North Central
Feb. 2: Jonathan Brown, North Central
Jan. 26: Chris Mactal, North Central
Jan. 19: Roman Rothermel, Loras