Saturday was a very special senior day for the West Liberty University (WLU) women’s volleyball team, as both Madison Clayton and MacKenzie Daub were honored for their incredible contributions to the program. To make the day even better, West Liberty was successfully able to sweep West Virginia Wesyleyan three sets to zero in the process. The Hilltoppers are now riding a three game winning streak.

Both Clayton and Daub have had tremendous careers with the black and gold during their service, with many accolades to show for it. Beginning with Clayton, the graduate student captain has had perhaps the most significant tenure with West Liberty to date. During her time at Philo High School, Clayton was named to the Ohio Division II All-District selection team three times, along with a All-Muskingum Valley League selection three times as well. To cap all this off, Clayton was named the MVL Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. When she arrived on the Hilltop, the impact she brought as a 6’5 middle blocker was immediate. After time soon passed, Clayton can look back on three All-MEC selections, including back-to-back All-MEC First Team selections. Furthermore, Clayton has been named to the All-MEC Academic Team, and has shown that she is just as good academically as she is athletically.

Statistically, Clayton is a force to be reckoned with. Last year, the middle blocker ranked second in the MEC and fourteenth nationally with a .393 hitting percentage, and ranked fourth in the Mountain East Conference with 39 total blocks. This, paired with a team best 117 kills, including a career high of nineteen kills versus Notre Dame, shows everybody how fierce of a competitor Clayton truly is. Currently, Clayton is near completion with her masters degree in Education at West Liberty, and will remain with the black and gold after the season as the new Graduate Assistant coach alongside Coach Riley Schenk.

During her time at Crestview High School, Daub was an integral part of her teams success, as she was named a All-Ohio Division III middle blocker twice. Furthermore, Daub earned a District One Player of the Year Award, as she logged 362 kills and 70 blocks during her senior year. Overall, Daub broke a school record with over 1,000 career kills.

Stepping into a black and gold uniform, Daub has been just as dominant and has been a significant piece of West Liberty’s success. In her first three seasons, the middle blocker has played in upwards of 35 matches, which has included 74 kills, 36 blocks, and 19 digs in the process. Daub has set career highs in digs with 12 against Slippery Rock, and blocks with 6 against Urbana and Millersville. In the process, the Zoo Science major has capped off her incredible career with a MEC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll.

Schenk will certainly miss the veteran leadership both Clayton and Daub have brought to the team during their careers. However, although it is their last season together, the duo has led West Liberty to a respectable season thus far. Overall, West Liberty holds a 17-11 record for the 2021 season, which has included a 8-4 record in MEC play. Some of these wins against conference opponents include powerhouses West Virginia State University and Davis and Elkins College. To finish the season the Hilltoppers have matchups against Alderson Broaddus University, Frostburg State University, Fairmont State University and Wheeling University remaining. The team currently sits at a tie for second place with Fairmont State University in the MEC North Division, trailing only Wheeling University at the top. In the MEC South Division, the top three spots are West Virginia State University, Davis and Elkins College, and the University of Charleston.

For more information about the volleyball team visit HilltopperSports.com.