IRVINE, Calif. – For the second consecutive week, Chaminade University right-side hitter
Ajack Malual (Rome, Italy/Tambosi ETI) is the Pacific West Conference Volleyball Player of the Week while the Silverswords were again the Team of the Week.
Malual repeated the award after totaling 53 kills while hitting .349 with 12 digs, seven service aces and three blocks to help Chaminade sweep all three matches in the Cal Poly Pomona/Azusa Pacific Crossover tournament this past weekend.
On Friday against Northwest Nazarene, the sophomore put down a career-high 19 kills and hit .621, committing just one attack error. Less than 24 hours later against Cal State East Bay, she matched her career kills total. Malual is currently second in the PacWest in attack percentage (.362), third in kills per set (3.78) and fourth in service aces per set (0.48).
Meanwhile the 'Swords earned the team award again after improving to 11-0 – the best start in program history – to conclude their pre-conference slate. Chaminade is the first team in the NCAA, regardless of division, to reach 11 wins in 2023. On Monday, the team moved up six spots to No. 14 in the AVCA/TARAFLEX Top 25 Poll, their highest national ranking in the Division II era.
The 'Swords currently lead the PacWest in kills, attack percentage, assists and service aces.
The Silverswords will open defense of their two-time PacWest title Thursday against longtime rival Hawai'i Pacific University at the HPU Shark Tank. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
