King’s Volleyball prepping for finale with Delaware Valley

Photo credit: Frank Lauri
Photo credit: Frank Lauri

The King’s College Lady Monarchs volleyball team (15-11, 0-6) take on Delaware Valley (6-20, 0-6) at home, at 7 p.m. This matchup is the last conference game for both teams, and will decide which team can get their first conference win.

King’s head coach Bernie Kachinko said he’s not too worried about getting that first conference win but did say that it’s always important to win something in conference.

The Lady Monarchs enter Saturday on a three game winning streak and will look to extend their winning ways after a solid tournament performance, which led to the Lady Monarchs taking the title. Del-Val has struggled all year but has won two out of their last three games. They will be in search of their third straight win and to end the year on a positive note.

The Lady Monarchs have been led by freshman Katelyn Shifflett all year and she will be the focal point in their offensive game plan.

“Katie was someone I recruited very heavily, so I knew what I was getting in her,” Kachinko said Tuesday. “I knew I was getting a big presence in the front row, both hitting and blocking, and she’s lived up to all those expectations.”

Brenna Smudde leads the defense with 232 digs on the season and averages close to three digs per set. She recently had ten digs in the win against SUNY Cobleskill which gave King’s the tournament win.

“She knows the game well,” Kachinko said of Smudde. “She plays the back row at a good level. She’s a consistent passer and a pretty good floor general.”

On the opposing end for the Lady Rams is their offensive leader freshman Maria Cameron. Cameron led Del-Val with 15 kills in their latest loss against Penn State Berks. Defensively the Rams are led by senior, Crystal Ronan. Ronan had 26 digs in her last game and leads the team with 334 digs on the year.

Vito Malacari covers King’s sports for WRKC Digital, follow him on Twitter @VitoMalacari23 or email him at VitoMalacari841@Kings.edu