BRADFORD, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's volleyball team will put conference play on hold and host SUNY Canton and Thiel for a tri-match Saturday at the KOA Arena.
The day will begin with a matchup with SUNY Canton at 11 a.m., followed by a contest between SUNY Canton and Thiel at 1 p.m. Pitt-Bradford and Thiel will wrap up the day competing against one another at 3 p.m.
The Panthers enter the weekend on a three-game winning streak and a 12-8 overall record, 3-1 in AMCC contests.
Being that this is the Panthers' final regular season Saturday home action, Pitt-Bradford will honor Katie Sedon and Payton Orzech for senior day prior to the 11 a.m. contest.
A native of Warren, Pa., Sedon is in her third season with the Panthers but is moving on after three years to further pursue a career in radiology. Sedon played in 37 matches and 56 sets during her career as a Panther, knocking 58 career kills and blocking nine total opposing attempts. She was on pace to play a key role in the Panthers' success this season, but her season was cut short due to injury. Still, she has provided irreplaceable veteran leadership.
From Somonauk, Ill., Orzech has made her mark on the Panthers' women's volleyball program in just two years at Pitt-Bradford. As the Panthers' primary setter, she has assisted 1,285 total kills for 8.34 per set during her career. Orzech has also amassed 407 career digs and 60 service aces. Last season, her 649 assists led the AMCC and her 32 service aces were the most on the team, earning her a spot on the All-AMCC Third Team. So far this season, her 636 assists not only lead the conference but rank 31st in all of NCAA Division III.
Pitt-Bradford is coming off a solid win in their first AMCC road action Tuesday at D'Youville.
Emily Cleveland knocked a game-high 10 kills and Riley Anderson was next with eight.
Payton Orzech assisted 33 of the team's 38 total kills.
Defensively, Laura Hildebrand had 23 digs while Alexandra Segura and Katie Treat each assisted a pair of blocks.
Orzech was also credited with 15 digs for a double-double.
14 different Panthers saw action on the court and contributed to the team's fifth win in six matches.
The Panthers own one of the top defenses in the country, ranking second nationally in team digs with 1,429, led by Hildebrand's 397 total digs (eighth in NCAA Division III).
At the net, the Panthers' 129.5 total blocks are 31st nationally, let by Treat's 53 (82nd nationally).
Offensively, Cleveland and Anderson are tied atop the AMCC and 28th nationally with 239 kills apiece.
SUNY Canton comes to the KOA Arena with a 9-7 overall record, led by Melissa McMaster with 140 kills and 2.37 per set.
Thiel enters the weekend with an 8-13 overall mark. Kasey Kohler leads the squad with 146 kills and Peyton Allen has 311 total digs.
