WSU CONCLUDES HOME SCHEDULE

The Wayne State University volleyball team is tied for the South Division lead with Ashland with four matches remaining in the regular season.  WSU hosts Malone this evening and Walsh tomorrow afternoon before ending league play with road matches at Ashland and Lake Erie.  The top eight teams, regardless of division, qualify for the GLIAC tournament.

AT THE HELM

Phil Nickel is in his fifth season as Wayne State's head volleyball coach and has a record of 80-57.  In his seven-year career, which includes two seasons at Thomas More College, Nickel is 114-100.

Malone head coach Tanya Hockman is in her 14th season leading the Pioneer volleyball program.  During her tenure, she has guided Malone to a record of 367-195 and seven appearances at the NCCAA National Tournament.

Walsh head coach Erin Foster is in her third season leading the Cavalier volleyball program.  During her tenure, she has guided Walsh to a record of 49-15.  The Cavs concluded last season by winning the Ohio Independent Championship.

IN THE POLLS

Wayne State was picked to finish in fifth place by the conference head coaches in the 2012 GLIAC preseason poll, while Walsh and Malone were slottedfor 13th and 14th, respectively.

SERIES HISTORY

Tonight's match will be the first time Wayne State has faced Malone in volleyball.

In the only prior meeting, Walsh recorded a 3-2 victory over the Warriors on Sept. 1, 2006, at the TownePlace Suites Classic in Findlay.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

Malone had a four-match winning streak snapped with last Saturday's 3-0 setback at Ashland.  Hannah Haver leads the Pioneers with 215 kills and a .309 hitting percentage.  Lauren Towley has 213 kills, while Jamie Schwamberger has a team-high 25 service aces.  Schwamberger is averaging nearly 10 assists per set, while Allison Kirby has 258 digs.

The Pioneers are fifth in the league in hitting percentage (.195) for conference matches only, and fourth in service aces (1.55 per set).

Walsh ended a modest two-game losing streak with last Saturday's 3-0 win over Lake Erie.  Julianne O'Donnell leads WU with 248 kills, while Brittany Morris has a team-best .274 hitting percentage.  Hannah Duran leads the squad with 563 assists, while O'Donnell has 246 digs.

The Cavaliers are second in the GLIAC in digs per set (16.18)

WARRIOR NOTEBOOK

Wayne State holds the top spot in hitting defense (.098) for league matches, while ranking second in blocking (2.72 blocks per set).  Lindsey Graciak is tied for second in the league in service aces at 0.53 per set, while Kelsey Bonewits and Essence Jackson-Jones are second (1.39) and fifth (0.98), respectively in blocks per set.

As a team, the Warriors are second nationally in blocks per set (2.80) trailing only UC-Colorado Springs (2.84).  Bonewits is 10th nationally in blocks per set (1.33) for all matches.

Prior to Saturday's match, the five Wayne State seniors will be recognized for their contributions to the program.  The five are setter Cydney Biessel, libero Lindsey Graciak, outside hitter Madie Kent, middle blocker Katarzyna Sak, and middle blocker Julie Sanders.

There will be a free pizza promotionfor those attending tonight's volleyball match.