As the men's volleyball season trudges along and some early preseason questions begin to be answered, something has started to become clearer and clearer with every passing match.

Matt Proper just may be the most important player on any volleyball team in the country.

I know that's a pretty bold statement, but apparently I'm not the only one that thinks the senior's worthy of such high praise.

"Matt's as good an opposite as there is. When he's hitting like that, we know the ball's going to him, and he's still getting kills, that's the sign of a really tough, physical opposite."

That came from No. 4 Long Beach State head coach Alan Knipe, whose 49ers were upset last Saturday night by the Nittany Lions.

Knipe's a credible source regarding outstanding players: his team boasts Robert Tarr, who was a first-team All America selection last season and ranks as one of the best in the business at outside hitter.

Still, for my money, I'd take Proper.

The AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) seems to agree, too -- for this week, anyway. Proper was named AVCA/Sports Imports Division I/II National Player of the Week this week for his outstanding play against Long Beach and EIVA rival Juniata last weekend.

If you rank importance in numbers, Proper's got the statistics to back up the claim.

He ranks in the top 12 on the overall NCAA list in kills with 4. 25 kills per game on a .347 hitting percentage.

He's not just an offensive threat, though. The kid can also get on you on the defensive end. He's averaging nearly a block a game (.93)

Don't forget digs, where he's getting 1.39, good for second on the team. You can throw in his 13 aces (good for a top ten spot on the NCAA list) just for good measure, too.

Tally all that up and you've got 5.29 points per game. You don't have to be a math major to figure out that his numbers thus far this season have been astounding.

It's that type of play that allows his teammates to relax, knowing he as the ability to take control of a match.

"He's been carrying us and taking so many kills, and, when he can convert on those, it just makes life easier on the setters," senior co-captain Nate Meerstein said. "Just knowing that he's there is unbelievable."

And like any great leader, Proper is humble. Any accolade given to him, he's quick to share with the rest of his teammates.

"It's not like this is a one-man show in any way at all," Proper said. "I'm just trying to do my role and hopefully wins come out of that."

The wins have been coming, to the tune of three in a row, to put the No. 11 Lions at 4-4 on the season and back in the discussion over teams that will compete for the NCAA championship in May.

For Penn State to stay in that discussion, Proper will be a big reason. By season's end, Proper will surely be decorated with plenty of awards, but none of that will matter if the team's season ends in April.

Proper will have to continue to dominate all season, which he's shown he's clearly capable of doing.

And if he does, come May, it won't just be this writer touting him as the most important player in the country.

It'll be the entire NCAA.