Volleyball climbs to 15th in the latest AVCA Top 25 Poll

The Muskingum volleyball team moved up four spots to 15th in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 Poll that was released on Tuesday. Last week, the Muskies were ranked 19th. 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 21-2 with a 4-1 mark in the OAC after sweeping Baldwin Wallace on Saturday. This season, the Muskies have surrendered just 15 sets, claimed 15 straight-set victories, and recorded a 10-game winning streak. As a team, Muskingum has logged 1,139 kills, 1,027 assists, 1,537 digs, 120 service aces, and 134 total blocks. The Muskies are currently ranked third in the NCAA Division lll in kills per set with 14.06. Muskingum is also ranked 12th in assists per set (12.65) and 15th in hitting percentage (0.241) within the NCAA Division lll National Stat Rankings. Muskingum is ranked first in conference with 14.06 kills per set. The Muskies are also ranked second in the league in hitting percentage (0.241), assists per set (12.68), digs per set (18.98), and solo blocks (62). Muskingum is ranked third in the OAC with 17.2 points per set.

Junior Brooke Fatheree directs the Muskies with a team-high 257 kills, ranking third in the league with 3.17 kills per set. Fatheree has also registered 51 assists, 308 digs, and 26 total blocks on the year. Fatheree has been named the OAC Volleyball Player of the Week twice this year for her outstanding performance and impeccable leadership abilities. This season, Fatheree reached her 1,000th career kill and 1,000th career dig.

Junior Erin Dickson has secured a team-best 681 assists in 75 sets played, ranking fourth in the OAC with 9.08 assists per set. Throughout her three years for the Muskies, Dickson has amassed 244 kills, 527 digs, and 100 total blocks. Last week Dickson locked in her 2,650th career assist against Baldwin Wallace, making her fourth all-time in career assists at Muskingum.

Junior Jessica Cottle anchors the Muskie backline with a team-best 404 digs, ranking fourth in the conference with 5.05 digs per set. Cottle was named the Ohio Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Week earlier this year for her tremendous performance against Kenyon, John Carroll, and Wittenberg. This season Cottle registered her 1,000th career dig against Hiram.

Junior Maddie McGee is second on the team with 227 kills, averaging 3.03 kills per set. Junior Brynn Guist has chipped in 198 kills, while junior Jada Briggs has notched a career-high 141 kills. Guist has registered a team-high 64 blocks in 78 sets played, ranking fifth in the league with 0.82 blocks per set. Freshman Emma Conrad is second on the team with 200 assists, averaging a total of 2.50 assists per set.

The Muskies next host the Capital Crusaders on Tuesday, October 22. Start time is slated for 7:00 p.m.