INDIANAPOLIS --- The Tusculum College volleyball team continues to be listed in this week's NCAA Division II statistics.

The Pioneers (18-12) boast one of the top defenses in the country, averaging 19.65 digs per set, which is third in the nation.

All-American libero Caitlyn Dean leads Tusculum's defensive efforts, averaging 6.49 digs per set, which is also third nationally. The Fort Wayne, Ind. sophomore has accounted for 668 digs this season, which are the second most in school history, behind only the NCAA II single-season record 845 she posted last year. The two-time All-South Atlantic Conference First Team honoree is first all-time in school history with her 6.82 digs per set average, while her 1,513 total digs are the third-most ever by a Pioneer.

Sophomore setter Ashley Sarmiento is second in the league and 37th in the country in assists per set, averaging 10.45 helpers per frame (4th in TC single-season history). The Dayton, Ohio product currently has the top career assists per set average in school history at 10.41. Her 2,353 total assists are third in the Tusculum record books. Sarmiento has also been recognized for her accomplishments in the classroom and was named to the 2011 Capital One NCAA Division II Academic All-District III First Team.

Tusculum is the sixth-seed at this weekend's NCAA II Southeast Regional in Wingate, N.C. The Pioneers will open regional action on Friday at noon as they face third-seeded and 21st-nationally ranked Armstrong Atlantic (35-2). Tusculum has advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons and has already clinched the program's sixth straight winning season and 22nd in the 30-year history of the Pioneer volleyball program.

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