NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – For the first time since 2016, the Manchester University volleyball team has earned a trip to the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

After orchestrating a 10-win improvement this season, the Black & Gold clinched the No. 6 seed in this year's conference tournament. Manchester will head to No. 3 seed Transylvania University on Wednesday November 3 for a 7 p.m. showdown with the Pioneers.

The winner of tonight's contest will advance to the HCAC Semifinals on Saturday where a matchup against No. 2 seed Mount St. Joseph University looms.

Live Stats l Live Video l HCAC Tournament Homepage

No. 6 Manchester Notes (11-15, 3-6 HCAC):

* The Black & Gold last appeared in the HCAC Tournament back in 2016 after posting a regular season record of 17-11, 5-4. Manchester would defeat Defiance in the first round before falling to Hanover in the semifinals.
* This year's team has shown significant improvement and resolve. The Spartans have collected wins this year over Trine (first win over TU since 2016), Kalamazoo (first win over KAL since 2016) and Rose-Hulman (first win over RHIT since 2017).
* MU's three league wins came against Rose-Hulman, Franklin, and Defiance.
* 5 Spartans earned honors from the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference this season including Samantha Campbell (1^st Team), Erika Kramer, Halle Planck, Helaina Walters (Honorable Mention), and Carley Camp (All-Freshman Team).
* On the year, Campbell (223) and Planck (216) lead the Spartans in kills, while Walters leads in digs (346). Carley Camp ranks fifth in the HCAC with 71 total blocks.
* The Spartans will look for their first win against Transylvania since the 2016 season.

No. 3 Transylvania Notes (20-12, 7-2 HCAC):

* The Pioneers have orchestrated a 7-1 stretch to close out regular season play.
* Transy's only two losses in conference play came against Mount St. Joseph and Earlham.
* The Pioneers have been difficult to top on their home floor, as they have posted a 10-4 mark in the Beck Center.
* When these two teams met back on October 23, the Pioneers swept the Spartans in straight sets 25-17, 25-20, and 25-23.
* Cate Scheper has powered the Pioneer offense thus far this season – she leads the team and conference with 401 kills. Scheper was named the HCAC Newcomer of the Year.
* Madison Sweeney has added 221 kills this season.
* The Pioneers will look to win a third consecutive HCAC Tournament title this week.