Volleyball remains at 15th in the latest AVCA Top 25 Poll

The Muskingum volleyball team remained 15th 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 23-2 with a 6-1 mark in the OAC after conquering Otterbein on Saturday. The Muskies are off to their best start since the 1999 campaign when they advanced to both the OAC and NCAA Tournaments. Muskingum also currently stands second in the OAC.

This season, the Muskies have surrendered just 16 sets, claimed 16 straight-set victories, and recorded an 11-game winning streak. As a team, Muskingum has notched 1,238 kills, 1,117 assists, 1,668 digs, 134 service aces, and 141 total blocks. The Muskies are currently ranked fifth in the NCAA Division lll in kills per set with 14.07. Muskingum is also ranked 12th in hitting percentage (0.246) and 13th in assists per set (12.67) within the NCAA Division lll National Stat Rankings. Muskingum is ranked first in the OAC in kills per set (14.07) and hitting percentage (0.246). The Muskies are also ranked second in the league in assists per set (12.69), digs per set (18.95), solo blocks (63), and points per set (17.2).

Junior Brooke Fatheree guides the Muskies with a team-high 282 kills on the year, ranking third in the league with 3.20 kills per set. Fatheree has also logged 55 assists, 23 service aces, 333 digs, and 26 total blocks. Fatheree has been named the OAC Volleyball Player of the Week twice this year for her drive to reach competitive excellence. This season, Fatheree secured her 1,000th career kill, 1,000th career dig, and moved to fifth all-time in career kills at Muskingum with a total of 1,033.

Junior Erin Dickson has logged a team-best 753 assists in 82 sets played, ranking fourth in the OAC with 9.18 assists per set. Throughout her two years for the Muskies, Dickson has registered 248 kills, 545 digs, and 103 total blocks. Dickson is currently fourth all-time in career assists at Muskingum with a total of 2,722 assists.

Junior Jessica Cottle anchors the Muskie backline with a team-high 436 digs in 87 sets played, ranking fourth in the conference with 5.01 digs per set. Cottle was named the Ohio Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Week earlier this year for her outstanding 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 249 kills, averaging 3.04 kills per set. Junior Brynn Guist has notched 214 kills, while junior Jada Briggs has dished out a career-best 152 kills. Guist has logged a team-high 65 blocks on the year, ranking fifth in the league with 0.77 blocks per set. Freshman Emma Conrad is second on the team with 204 assists, averaging 2.40 assists per set. 

The Muskies next travel to Marietta to battle the Pioneers on Tuesday, October 29. Start time is slated for 7:00 p.m.