The Malone University volleyball team travels to Findlay University this weekend for three challenging non-conference matches that will have a very conference-like feel. The Pioneers will first take on Ohio Dominican University on Friday, September 9th at 5:00 pm. Malone will return Saturday morning to face Hillsdale College at 9:00 am before meeting the host Oilers at 3:00 pm.
 
All three opponents were members of the GLIAC South alongside Malone for the last four seasons. All three schools will also be joining Malone in the G-MAC next year.
 
Media Information
Live Stats: vs. Ohio Dominican | vs. Findlay
Live Video: youtube.com/watch?v=eDAx4_-rPFE
Twitter: @maloneathletics

Team Notes:
2016 Malone Pioneers: Roster | Schedule | Stats
The Pioneers finished 2-2 last week at their own Hall of Fame City Challenge with victories over Notre Dame College and Mercyhurst. Through the season's opening weekend, senior middle hitter Haley Kool is second in the G-MAC in hitting percentage (.298) and ninth in blocks per set (0.80), she is also third on the team in kills per set (2.33). Classmate Lynsey Trusty is third in the conference in digs per set (4.73), after her first weekend as the Pioneer libero.
 
Offensively, the sophomore duo of Mallory Adams (3.40 kills/set, .268 hitting percentage) and Veronica Gehring (2.60 k/s, .257) lead a Malone team that ranks second in the G-MAC in both kills and hitting. Sophomore setter Cathryn Miller leads the conference with 10.07 assists per set.
 
Other Pioneers who made significant contributions during the first weekend include Hannah Eliason (29 kills, 10 blocks), Sydney Black (16 kills, 28 digs), Maggie Hamrock (36 digs), and Julia Marino (27 digs).
 
Ohio Dominican Panthers: Roster | Schedule | Stats
The Panthers finished 2-2 at the Hall of Fame City Challenge last weekend. Jackie Oestreich (2015 All-GLIAC Honorable Mention) leads the squad with 3.63 kills per set, .299 attacking percentage, and 1.13 blocks per set. Tory Thompson (2015 All-GLIAC Second Team) also averages 3.63 kills per set while Megan Hendershot leads the team with 3.94 digs per set.
 
Ohio Dominican topped Malone in three sets (25-10, 25-22, 25-17) last Friday night.
 
Hillsdale Chargers: Roster | Schedule | Stats
The Chargers opened the season with three victories in four matches last weekend. Kara Vyletel is 4th in the GLIAC with 3.77 kills per set and leads the team in digs (3.62 d/s). 2015 GLIAC Blocker of the Year Erin Holsinger (5'11") leads the conference again with 1.38 blocks per set. Setter Taylor Bennett is averaging 11.62 assists a set.
 
In their lone meeting last year, the Chargers defeated the Pioneers in three sets (25-14, 25-14, 25-20). Hillsdale went undefeated in four tries against Malone during the GLIAC tenure.
 
Findlay Oilers: Roster | Schedule | Stats
Despite a 1-3 record, the Oilers had a strong showing in last weekend's acid test, losing matches to three teams ranked in the NCAA DII Top-30. Amanda Winner (3.85 k/s) and 2015 All-GLIAC First Teamer Hannah Tong (3.46 k/s) lead the attack with setter Hailee Olson (11.15 assists/set) running the offense. Nickyla Garverick (2015 All-GLIAC Second Team) leads the defense with 1.31 blocks per set while Kara Scherger is tops in the GLIAC with 5.23 digs per set.
 
Last season, Findlay edged out Malone in their only meeting with a four-set victory (25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-17)
 
Looking Ahead:
Malone will make the short trip to play Ashland on Tuesday, September 13th at 7:00 pm.