CANTON, Ohio -- This afternoon the Malone University volleyball program will play their final regular season match of the season. The Pioneers travel north for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference matchup at Ursuline College.
The Matchup: Malone University (2-8, 2-8 G-MAC) at Ursuline College Arrows (3-7, 3-7 G-MAC)
Where: Ursuline College - Sister Diana Stano Athletic Center / The Jane & Lee Seidman Gymnasium
When: 2:00 p.m.
Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Video: Great Midwest Digital Network
MALONE-URSULINE SERIES
Today is the only scheduled match between these two programs this season. They last met in the 2019 regular season when the Pioneers came from behind to score a four-set victory inside Osborne Hall.
The last win for the Arrows in the series came in October of 2018, also a four-set victory played in Canton.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
- In last night's five-set loss at Lake Erie the Malone offense had a strong performance. As a team the Pioneers put down their most kills of the season at 58. Their .172 attack percentage is the best number since the season-opening win at Ohio Valley (.289).
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Sophomore Anna Mallette shattered her career-high in kills with 20. Classmate Anna Hopple also totaled a double-digit kill total (11) for the first time in her Malone University career.
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Last night was also a career-night for Abbie Swaino in the assist department. She assisted on 31 of the Pioneers' points, and now has 1,088 career assists.
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As a team the Pioneers are now averaging 10.19 kills pet set. Defensively they are allowing an average of 12.97.
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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 still very simple - win and you are in. Seven teams have already locked in their bid to the 2021 Great Midwest Championship Tournament. A Malone win over Urusline today would mean both teams finish the season with the same record and the Pioneers would hold the tiebreaker.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Ursuline comes into today's match off of back-to-back losses to both Trevecca Nazarene and Walsh. The Arrows three wins this season have come against Ohio Valley, Lake Erie and Kentucky Wesleyan.
Ursuline ranks in the middle of the G-MAC in hitting percentage (.179), but they are giving up 12.86 kills per set to their opponents.
The Arrows are led by Nora Clink who has 98 kills so far this season. Abigail Aguilera-Ayala has put down 81 kills as well, and the 3.63 kills per set from Devin Gerth is third best in the entire league.
Defensively Zoe Skinner is second in the G-MAC averaging 5.12 digs per set. She has totaled 174 digs this season. Krisandra Mezera leads Ursuline with 29 blocks this season.
WHAT'S NEXT
The outcome of today's match will decide what is next for the Pioneers. A win gets them into the 2021 Great Midwest Volleyball Championship Tournament. A loss would mean Malone misses the postseason for the first time since the 2015 season.
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.
