Roster | Schedule | Coaching Staff | 2018 Photo Day

Under the guidance of head coach Tanya Hockman, who begins her 20th season at the helm of the program this fall, the Malone University volleyball team opens the 2018 campaign this Friday and Saturday at the Ashland University Invitational. Coming off of an 18-13 season that culminated with a premature exit in the first round of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament, the Pioneers are primed for another, and hopefully deeper, postseason run.
 
The 18 wins last season were the most since 2012 and the 12-6 record in conference was the best mark since 2010 when Malone advanced to the National Championships. The Pioneers exhibited vast improvement from 2016 when they went 10-24 despite winning the first set in 20 of 34 matches. Coach Hockman's squad demonstrated its resolve and ever-growing sense of confidence, especially in five-set matches where they went 5-1.
 
"I've always said that one of the hardest things to coach is how to win," she explained. "We had to learn to win. The process took us longer than I wanted to two years ago, but last year we knew what we were doing, we understood each other, and we knew how to play off of each other. I think that was the spark that gave us the confidence to be believe that we could win tight matches."
 
With the exception of graduated senior defensive specialist Julia Marino, the entire team from last season returns intact. The 2018 roster features nine upperclassmen, including seven that played in at least 95 sets for the Pioneers last fall. Among them are four seniors who have combined to play more than 1,400 career sets. Hockman will continue to look to them for leadership and lean on their experience as the Pioneers try to build on their success.
 
"In reflecting on this group of seniors, we knew when we brought them in as freshmen that they were going to be the foundation for our future," she expressed. "They have been the core group that has really stayed the course, battled hard, and helped us regain our stability. Hopefully they will leave a legacy of excellence for those that come behind them."
 
Leading the supremely-talented group of four-year members is middle hitter Mallory Adams, a two-time G-MAC Second Team All-Conference selection. Adams, who has six-rotation versatility, was one of two players in NCAA Division II volleyball to average at least 2.50 kills, 2.25 digs, and 1.00 blocks per set in 2017. She'll be expected to contribute from net to service line once again, but according to her veteran mentor, there is no extra pressure for her to perform.
 
"Mallory obviously has lots of ways that she can contribute to the team and her athleticism and experience should pay great dividends," said Hockman. "From a coaching perspective, she doesn't need to carry us. She has great teammates around her that can all contribute to our success."
 
One of whom is senior outside hitter Veronica Gehring, a former G-MAC Player of the Week, who led Malone with 2.65 kills per set last season. Gehring missed the G-MAC Quarterfinal match against Findlay with a hand injury as the Pioneers landed a season-low 19 kills without her presence at the pin. Her ability to score is clearly crucial to team success, but her impact on the team can be felt even when she's not taking swings.
 
"I think you really realize the magnitude of somebody's contribution when they are no longer in the lineup," revealed Coach Hockman. "Veronica is obviously such a huge weapon as a hitter, but in terms of intangibles, she is a very enthusiastic and high-energy person and we need her to continue to be a fire-lighter for us."
 
Guiding the attack is fourth-year setter Cathryn Miller, who has racked up 2,440 assists over the previous three seasons. Last year while running the offense, Miller also collected 225 digs and 30 blocks on the defensive end and finished the year with 10 double-doubles. She will be counted on once again from her teammates and coaching staff to help the team in more ways than one.
 
"We're going to look to Cathryn to provide leadership and stability in the setter position," Hockman stated. "She has a great connection with the hitters that comes with years of being on the court together. There's a calm about her and I think her quiet steadiness is always appreciated by our team."
 
Rounding out the senior class is libero Maggie Hamrock who surpassed the 1,000 career digs milestone late last season. Hamrock was 10th in the G-MAC with 3.72 digs per set and she has proven to be a more than capable leader.
 
"Maggie has anchored our backrow for years," proclaimed Hockman. "She has been the backbone of our defense. She handles the mantle of leadership really well and she's just really a driven person. We're excited about the energy she brings along with her passion to compete."
 
Joining Hamrock in the backrow is defensive specialist Sydney Black, one of five juniors on the roster. Black has played in all but four sets over the last two seasons and she was second on the team with 30 service aces and third on the team with 236 digs in 2017. She is likely to take on an even larger role as she enters her third year in the Pioneers' system.
 
Junior outside hitter Faith Lau and junior middle/right side hitter Hannah Eliason were major factors in the Malone attack, ranking third and fourth on the team in kills, respectively. Lau quietly averaged 2.44 kills and 1.90 digs per set while Eliason averaged 1.82 kills, led the team with a .243 attacking percentage, and finished second on the team with 71 blocks. Both displayed significant improvement from their freshman to sophomore seasons and are expected to continue their progression.
 
Defensive specialist Sierra Lau and middle hitter Erica Roberts round out the junior class. Roberts transfers to Malone from the College of Wooster where she played in 94 sets in 2017.
 
The six-member sophomore class features right side hitter Rachel Santos, middle hitter Brooklyn Sullivan, outside hitter Georgia Kiko, defensive specialist Savannah Line, and setters Abbie Swaino and Elizabeth Selleny. Both Swaino and Selleny showed promise as their court time increased as the season progressed last fall.
 
With three competent and capable setters, who are all very different in their skill sets, Hockman has the luxury and flexibility to run multiple offensive systems based on personnel and matchups. As a team in 2017, Malone was sixth in the G-MAC in kills, assists, and hitting percentage.
 
Giving the Pioneers even more depth are incoming freshmen defensive specialists Leyla Davis and Abby Hasebein. They'll join a unit that ranked third in the G-MAC in blocks, fourth in digs and fourth in opponents hitting percentage. With so much depth and talent in the backrow, the emphasis on defense and grinding out points will continue for a team that allowed just three opponents to hit better than .265 in a match last season.
 
"When you have as many players as we do who can keep the ball in system, it only creates more opportunities for your front row to get good swings," Hockman noted. "We'll stay in rallies longer, we'll make teams have to earn points, and we'll take pressure off of our hitters."
 
The 2018 schedule features 31 matches beginning with two this Friday against Bellarmine at 11:30 am and Ashland at 7:00 pm. Following this weekend's Ashland Invitational, Malone returns home to host the Hall of Fame City Challenge on August 31-September 1.
 
The 19-match G-MAC slate begins with a home showdown against defending champion Hillsdale on September 7th. The G-MAC Postseason Tournament begins on November 8th.
 
The Pioneers were picked third in the G-MAC East Division Preseason Coaches Poll earlier this month in advance of their third season in the competitive conference, which sent two teams to the NCAA Midwest Regional Round of the NCAA Tournament last season.