This week: Notre Dame College volleyball will play in the Hall of Fame City Challenge this weekend. They will initially play the host, Malone University, at 10 a.m. on August 31. The Falcons also take on Seton Hill University at 4:45 p.m. that same day. On September 1, NDC will play Daemen College at 11:15 a.m. and then the University of Southern Indiana at 6 p.m.

Records: The Falcons are currently 1-2 after the first week of play while Malone is 2-2 and Seton Hill is 2-2. Daemen is 1-2 and Southern Indiana is 3-1.

Coaches Corner: Travis Hinkle is in his first season at Notre Dame as a head coach and won his first career game against the University of Rio Grande on August 25. Tanya Hockman is in her 20th season at Malone with a record of 444-293. Rick Hall is entering his 34th season with Seton Hill and has a record of 703-371. Stephanie Albano is in her third season with a record of 37-26 at Daemen. At USI, Leah Mercer begins her 14th season with the Screaming Eagles with a record of 229-178.

Rankings: None of these teams were ranked in the AVCA Coaches Preseason Poll.

Series History: The Falcons have an all-time record of 0-4 against Malone and 0-3 against Seton Hill. They have never played Daemen or Southern Indiana.

Noting the Falcons: In the first two games of the season, NDC held better attack percentages than their opponents (Ursuline and Rio Grande). They are also averaging 11.8 kills-per-set, which is nearly a kill better than their opponents. Mary Kate McHugh leads the team with 43 kills and 3.91 kills-per-set. Paige Staudacher has already racked up 103 assists (9.36 per set) and she leads the team with eight aces on the offensive end. Alexandra Kaeberlein has 73 digs while Erin Daugherty has accumulated five block assists.

Noting the Pioneers: Malone has struggled early in matches this season, being outscored by 12 points (92-80), overall, in the first set. Mallory Adams has been on the attack by putting down 46 kills this season with an attack percentage of 37.3-percent while Abbie Swaino has 65 assists on the year. Hannah Eliason already has 16 total blocks on the campaign. Maggie Hamrock leads the team with 67 digs.

Noting the Griffins: This season, the Griffins have averaged about two and a half fewer kills than their opponents. However, SHU has found success serving the ball, as they have 22 aces. Viktoria Farian leads the team with 39 kills and Leah Bisignani has five aces and the Griffins have three players with four aces. On the defensive side, Hannah Moeller leads the team with 51 digs (3.92 per set). Jessica Hanson currently has seven blocks.

Noting the Wildcats: Daemen has struggled offensively this season, putting together an attack percentage of 12.2, on average, in three matches. Overall this season, they have been outscored 75-59 in the third set of their matches this season. Jenn Heritz and Tirzah Peters lead the team with 26 kills. Isa McCaffrey has 93 assists this campaign. Georgia Wicker has accumulated 35 digs and Peters leads the team with seven total blocks.

Noting the Screaming Eagles: Offensively, Southern Indiana has 166 kills on 398 attempts for an outstanding percentage of 28.9-percent in four matches this year. They have been very strong in the third set this season, racking up a total of 97 points in that set, already. Elexis Coleman has 39 kills and 3.25 per set. She also has a hit percentage of 46.5-percent. Casey Cepicky currently has 131 assists and Haley Limper has seven aces. On defense, Limper leads the squad with 40 digs and Sidney Hegg has 12 blocks, all block assists.