Trinity Western University's own Ben Ball was named the top university men's volleyball player in Canada Thursday morning.

The Spartans' fifth-year setter has earned the CIS player of the year honours.

And, in doing so, Ball became the second player in TWU men's volleyball history to be named CIS MVP.

Josh Howatson, also a setter, was honoured in 2006/07.

The All-Canadian Breakfast, held at the Ambassador Hotel in Kingston, turned into a record-setting affair for the reigning national champion Spartans, who became the first-ever men's volleyball team to capture four CIS major awards in a single campaign.

Other winners from TWU included Jarrod Offereins of Calgary, who was named libero of the year; Rudy Verhoeff, also from Calgary, who claimed the Dale Iwanoczko Award in recognition of his excellence in volleyball, academics and community involvement; and Ben Josephson of Strathmore, Alta., who was voted coach of the year by his peers, an award presented by Coaches of Canada.

The only individual award to elude Trinity Western, the rookie of the year trophy, went to Regina native Andrew Nelson, a right side hitter with his hometown Regina Cougars.

Ball put together the best campaign a Canada West setter has ever had in terms of assists per set as he averaged a conference record and CIS season-best 11.54.

The 6'4" senior was a master of distribution this year as he helped eight teammates to at least 1.30 kills per set - including team leader Rudy Verhoeff (3.92) - while guiding the Spartans to a CIS-leading 13.68 kills per set and a Canada West-best .318 hitting percentage.

Thanks to his Ball's play, reigning national champion Trinity Western finished first in Canada West with a 19-1 regular season record - the best mark in the country - and qualified for the CIS championship for the third straight year.

Ball, who will graduate with a major in general studies and minors in human kinetics and communications, ends his university career in second place on the conference all-time list with 2,742 assists.

In 2010/11, he was a Canada West all-star and was named to the CIS all-tournament team after helping the Spartans capture the second national title in school history.

"Ben is the engine that runs our team," Spartans coach Ben Josephson said. "His unassuming attitude on the court and ability to find the fun in any situation make him the perfect setter for our team. His genius with the ball and athletic ability make him the most memorable setter in our program's history. He has put together a great senior season and we will miss him greatly in the years to come."