Three Ball State University men's volleyball players won state titles this weekend as coaches for local high school girl's volleyball teams.
Libero Billy Ebel, middle attacker Andy Nelson and setter Ethan Pheister each were assistant coaches on teams that won an Indiana class championship on Saturday at Worthen Arena.
Being two of the seven assistant coaches at Burris Laboratory School, Ebel and Nelson were on the sidelines as Burris swept Southwood High School to win the Class 2A championship. Following that match, Pheister helped coach Muncie Central High School to a sweep against Elkhart Memorial High School in the Class 4A championship match.
"This is fun," Nelson said. "I never got this far in any of the high sports I played. To get this far and win is just fun."
This was the 13th consecutive state title for Burris and the second championship for Muncie Central since 2004.
Both Burris coach Steve Shondell and Muncie Central coach Wes Lyon said the Ball State players on their coaching staffs benefited their team throughout the season. With Shondell and Lyon having previously played for Ball State, they also said they always try to look for current players to help coach their teams.
"The girls enjoy having [Ebel and Nelson] around," Shondell said. "I've had Ball State players on my bench for years. ... These two guys are going to go on and be great high school or college coaches."
All three players started for the Cardinals last season with Pheister and Ebel receiving all-conference honors. Ball State finished the 2009 season ranked in the top 15 coaches poll and lost to Ohio State University in the conference championship match for the second consecutive year.
"Unfortunately for Ball State we've never been in a situation where we have won a championship but seeing this team and seeing the team come through like this really just gives me a lot of drive and desire to do well this season," Pheister said.
Burris and Muncie Central were two of four East Central Indiana high schools to advance to the state championships at Worthen Arena. Wes Del High School lost to Marquette Catholic High School in the Class 1A finals, and Yorktown High School lost to Brebeuf Jesuit High School in the Class 3A finals.
For more on this story, read Monday's issue of The Ball State Daily News.
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