In recent voting by the region's coaches, six Malone University volleyball players were recognized with postseason honors from the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) East Region.
Senior outside hitter
Megan Fisher and junior setter
Jackie Schwamberger were voted Co-Players of the Year after helping lead Malone to the NCCAA East Region Tournament Championship Oct. 28-29, just the second East Region Title in school history.
Joining Fisher and Schwamberger on the NCCAA East Region First Team was junior middle hitter
Hannah Haver. East Region Second Team honors went to sophomore middle hitter
Lauren Townley while sophomore libero
Allison Kirby and junior middle hitter
Diana Wallace were both tabbed NCCAA East Region Honorable Mention.
Pioneer head coach
Tanya Hockman was also recognized with the East Region Coach of the Year award.
Fisher currently paces the squad in several statistical categories including kills (3.18 per set), digs (2.36 per set) and service aces (43). Schwamberger, a 2010 NCCAA East Region Honorable Mention selection, has tallied averages of 9.53 assists, 2.22 digs and 0.72 kills per set to go with 27 service aces and 36 total blocks.
Haver received East Region First Team accolades for the second straight year after having compiled 2.4 kills and 1.95 digs per set. Haver has also registered 75 total blocks and a team-best .270 attack percentage. Townley currently ranks second on the team with an average of 2.5 kills per set. She has also served up 37 aces and notched a team-high 86 total blocks (26 solo).
Kirby has scooped up an average of 1.99 digs per frame so far this year while Wallace has posted 1.86 kills per set to go with 62 total blocks.
Malone, ranked fourth in the most recent NCCAA national ratings, concluded its regular season with a 28-10 overall record. The squad will compete as the No. 2 seed in this weekend's Ohio Independent Championships that are being held Friday and Saturday at Walsh University. By virtue of capturing the NCCAA East Region Title, the Pioneers also secured an automatic bid to the NCCAA National Tournament which is scheduled to be contested December 1-3 in Kissimmee, Florida.
