CANTON, Ohio -- Tonight the Malone University volleyball program begins the final weekend of the regular season. The Pioneers travel north for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference matchup at Lake Erie College.
The Matchup: Malone University (2-7, 2-7 G-MAC) at Lake Erie College Storm (1-9, 1-9 G-MAC)
Where: Lake Erie College - Jerome T. Osborne Family Athletic and Wellness Center
When: 7:00 p.m.
Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Video: Great Midwest Digital Network
MALONE-LAKE ERIE SERIES
Tonight is the only scheduled match between these two programs this season. They last met in the 2019 regular season when the Storm barely edged out a five-set victory inside Osborne Hall.
The last win for the Pioneers in the series came in September of 2018, a thrilling five-set win also played in Canton.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
- Despite being held to a single digit point total for the first time all season last week against Walsh, sophomore Anna Mallette continues to rank among the best in the conference offensively. She is eighth overall with 93 kills and her 3.44 kills per set is sixth best in the league.
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Senior Brooklyn Sullivan has put together some strong offensive performances lately. Against Walsh she finished tied for the team lead with eight kills, and she led the way with a .313 attack percentage. Sullivan now sits third on the team with 48 total kills this season.
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Cierra Gurney turned in her best statistical performance of the season, tying both Sullivan and Mallette with eight kills. She currently slots in second on the team with 49 kills this season.
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As a team the Pioneers are now averaging 9.97 kills pet set. Defensively they are allowing an average of 13.16.
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A check of the most recent Great Midwest Athletic Conference Volleyball Standings shows that the postseason situation for the Pioneers is simple - win and you are in. Seven teams have already locked in their bid to the 2021 Great Midwest Championship Tournament. Malone wins over Lake Erie tonight and Ursuline tomorrow will allow the Pioneers to secure the final spot in the tournament.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Lake Erie comes into tonight's match on a nine-match losing streak. The Storm opened up their season with a 3-1 win over Ohio Valley, and have dropped every match since. Lake Erie has actually yet to win a set since the January 29 win against OVU.
LEC ranks near the bottom of the conference in both hitting percentage (.083) and opponent hitting percentage (.252).
The Storm are led by junior Kariema Rodriguez. She has a team-high 87 kills on the season, and is averaging 2.9 kills per set.
Defensively Rodriguez also leads the team with 103 digs, while freshman Alexandra Matthews has posted a team-best 15 total blocks on the year.
WHAT'S NEXT
Malone will close out the 2021 regular season tomorrow afternoon with a trip to Ursuline College. The match is set to begin at 2:00 p.m.
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.
