The Muskingum volleyball team remained 19th in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 Poll that was released on Tuesday. This marks Muskingum's highest national ranking since 2000. The AVCA Division lll Top 25 Poll is selected by Division lll head coaches representing the eight NCAA regions.
Muskingum is 19-2 with a 2-1 mark in the OAC after defeating Hiram on Friday. This season, the Muskies have surrendered just 15 sets, claimed 13 straight-set victories, and recorded a 10-game winning streak. As a team, Muskingum has amassed 1,049 kills, 945 assists, 1,400 digs, 108 service aces, and 123 total blocks. The Muskies are currently ranked fifth in the NCAA Division III in kills per set with 13.99. The Muskies are also ranked first in the conference in kills per set (13.99), assists per set (12.60), and hitting percentage (.242). Muskingum is ranked second in the league in digs per set (18.67) and solo blocks (59). The Muskies are also ranked third in the OAC in points per set (17.1) and kills (1,049). Muskingum is off to their best start since the 1999 campaign when they advanced to both the OAC and NCAA Tournaments.
Junior Brooke Fatheree guides the Muskies with a team-best 244 kills, ranking second in the league with 3.25 kills per set. Fatheree has also dished out 47 assists, 279 digs, and 23 total blocks on the year. Fatheree has been named the OAC Volleyball Player of the Week twice this year for her dedication and impeccable work ethic.
Junior Erin Dickson has recorded a team-high 612 assists in 69 sets played, ranking fourth in the OAC with 8.87 assists per set. Throughout her two years for the Muskies, Dickson has registered 237 kills, 512 digs, and 98 total blocks. Dickson has also logged 2,581 assists, making her fifth all-time in career assists at Muskingum.
Junior Jessica Cottle directs the Muskie defense with a team-best 366 digs, raking fifth in the league with 4.95 digs per set. Cottle was named the Ohio Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Week last week for her outstanding performance against Kenyon, John Carroll, and Wittenberg.
Junior Maddie McGee is second on the team in kills with 204, averaging 2.96 kills per set. Junior Brynn Guist has chipped in 177 kills, while junior Jada Briggs has notched a career-high 129. Guist leads the Muskies with a team-best 60 blocks on the year, making her fourth in the conference with .83 blocks per set. Freshman Emma Conrad is second on the team with 197 assists, averaging 2.66 assists per set.
The Muskies next host the Mount Union Purple Raiders on Tuesday, October 15 for their Muskie Pride Game. Start time is slated for 7:00 p.m. All fans are encouraged to wear pink to raise awareness of Breast Cancer Research Month.
