WILMINGTON, Ohio – The Wilmington College volleyball team hosts the University of Mount Union for an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) contest on Saturday. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.
The Teams: Wilmington and Mount Union. The Fightin' Quakers are 5-14 overall and 0-2 in conference play after a pair of straight-set losses at Heidelberg University and at Muskingum University . The Purple Raiders are 18-2 overall and 1-1 in the OAC after falling to Otterbein University in straight sets on Saturday.
The Coaches: Tim O'Brien enters his fourth year as Wilmington's head volleyball coach. He has improved the Quakers' wins total each of his first three seasons and is looking to break through in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) this season. A 2012 graduate of Siena Heights University, O'Brien was a four-year letter-winner for the Saints' men's volleyball, team and ranks in seven career and seasonal program records. Melissa Mahnke, a 2010 alumnae of Mount Union and two-time All-American, is in her fourth season as Mount Union's head coach. The Purple Raiders went 25-5 under her guidance last season.
The Players: Jillian Wesco leads Wilmington with 123 kills while also contributing 234 digs in the back row, second-best on the team. Taylor McCuistion, Mariella Szrom and Karrah Wind have all put down at least 78 kills while Amber Rox also averages over one kill per set. Three Quakers – Jacie Koontz, Grace Ewing and Summer Wilbur – split the setting duties with Kootnz and Wilbur dishing out over three assists per set. Defensively, Szrom has recorded 37 blocks while Karley Schlensker averages 4.57 digs per set as Wilmington's libero. Three Purple Raiders – Madelin DiBease, Marlee Peck and Kyleigh Jackson – all have over 140 kills on the season and along with Breanna Arnett and Kirsten Powell, they average over two kills per set. Carly Stepic dishes out over 10 assists per set while Peck leads the team in blocks with 62. In the Mount Union back row, Allison Baird averages 4.94 digs per set.
AVCA Top 25 Poll: Mount Union is not ranked in the most recent AVCA Top 25 Poll, but is receiving nine votes.
Senior Day: Though athletically just juniors, Amber Rox and Summer Wilbur will graduate this spring from Wilmington and will not be returning for their final year of eligibility next fall. A brief ceremony will be held for them prior to the match.
Series History: Wilmington has not beaten Mount Union in the last seven seasons. More information on the series history can be viewed by visiting the link above.
Coverage: Live statistics of the match will be available – visit the link above.
Social Media: Follow Wilmington athletics on social media! The Fightin' Quakers have a presence on Facebook (Wilmington College Athletics) as well as Twitter and Instagram (@DubCQuakers).
Up Next: Wilmington travels to Ohio Northern University for a 7 p.m. contest on Tuesday, Oct. 9.
