PORTLAND, Ore. – After a weekend on the road, the Multnomah University volleyball team will open up the second half of the season with two non-conference games with New Hope Christian College at home on Tuesday night, followed by a road game at Pacific University on Wednesday night. MU will return to conference action on Saturday as they play host to Walla Walla University for the first time as conference members.
 
The Lions will look to repeat an early performance against New Hope Christian when they defeated the Deacons in four sets on the road at the start of this season winning 27-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20. Sophomore outside hitter Patty Batoon had a stellar night versus the New Hope tallying 26 kills while freshman setter Marissa Rhodes notched 30 assists.
 
Playing in their second non-conference game of the week, the Lions will visit Pacific University, an NCAA Division III school in the Northwest Conference. This will be the first meeting between these two teams this season. The Boxers have struggled so far this season, going 4-9 overall but are currently on a two match winning streak.
 
MU will also have another shot at Walla Walla after a three set loss on the road back in September. Since then, the Wolves have earned one other CCC win over Northwest Christian and sit on a 5-10 record overall.
 
By the Numbers: Batoon has totaled 127 kills in 34 sets. Her average of 3.74 kills per set is the third highest average in the Cascade Conference and ranks 23^rd in the NAIA. Rhodes has tallied 235 assists after a career high 31 last week against Northwest Christian. Other key contributors include freshman outsider Miranda Halverson (83 kills, 68 digs) and freshman defensive specialist Devyn Sigurdson with a team high 77 digs.
 
About New Hope Christian:
-The Deacons are 0-7 on the year versus CCC opponents.
-Currently hold a 3-14 overall record.
 
About Pacific University:
-Currently sit in the sixth spot in their conference standings.
-Two non-conference wins include Evergreen State College and New Hope Christian.
-Hold the worst hitting percentage in the conference at .116.
-Average just over 10 kills per set.
 
About Walla Walla:
-Also enter their first year in the Cascade Conference.
-Hold the 10^th spot in the conference standings with a 5-10 overall record, 2-8 in conference
-Rank second to last in hitting percentage with .091.
-The Wolves average nine kills a set and 1.69 blocks per set, which ranks in the middle of the pack in the conference as far as blocks