CANTON, Ohio -- Tonight the Malone University volleyball team will play their home opener. The Pioneers welcome the Hillsdale College Chargers to Osborne Hall for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference matchup.
The Chargers are the No. 12 ranked team in the most recent AVCA NCAA Division II poll.
MALONE-HILLSDALE SERIES
Tonight is the first, and only scheduled matchup this season between the Pioneers and the Chargers.
These schools last saw each other in the G-MAC Championship Quarterfinal in November of 2019 with Hillsdale advancing on a four-set victory.
The Matchup: Hillsdale College Chargers (2-0, 2-0 G-MAC) at Malone University Pioneers (1-1, 1-1 G-MAC)
Where: Osborne Hall
When: 7:00 p.m.
Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Video: Great Midwest Digital Network
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
- Sophomore Anna Mallette had another outstanding individual performance in the Pioneers last outing against Cedarville, finishing with a team-high 14 kills. That mark ties her career-high set last season in a match against Notre Dame College. Mallette is currently averaging a G-MAC leading 4.50 kills per set.
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In that same contest Cierra Gurney posted another six-kill match for the Pioneers, while Kristen Hankins put down the lone Malone block of the match.
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Mallette and Gurney lead the team in points scored with 29 and 15 respectively. Defensively, they also led the way against Cedarville with 15 and 12 digs.
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As a team, Malone is tied with Hillsdale as both teams average 2.50 service aces per set. The Pioneers are fifth in the conference averaging 17.83 digs per set.
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Tonight kicks off a stretch of seven consecutive home matches. The Pioneers will not have to leave Osborne Hall again until February 26.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
The Chargers have come out strong in the first two matches of the season, sweeping both Trevecca Nazarene and Kentucky Wesleyan.
Offensively the team ranks in the top five for the conference in hitting percentage, assists, and kills. They are also tied with Malone for the conference lead in service aces.
Freshman Maizie Brown leads the team in hitting percentage at .440 while Junior Karoline Shelton sports a .339 mark. Lindsey Mertz leads the conference in assists per game (10.75).
WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers
will host the Panthers of Ohio Dominican University on February 5th for a 7:00 p.m. start.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Malone University athletic programs this year follow the Pioneers on Twitter and Instagram, like Malone University Athletics on Facebook or visit malonepioneers.com.
