After losing Erin Boeve and Lauren Cummings, the top two hitters from the 2007 volleyball team, the Cyclones had to find a go-to hitter.

Senior middle blocker Jen Malcom has answered that bell.

Malcom is hitting .518 with 79 kills and only eight errors on 137 swings through the first seven matches of the season. That hitting percentage is the top one — not only in the Big 12, but the nation as well.

“She is having an unbelievable senior season, hitting over .500, which is an unbelievable stat for us,” said coach Christy Johnson. “We’re glad that we redshirted her, so she has that fifth year.”

Malcom also set the school record for hitting percentage in a match last week with 15 kills and no errors on 19 attacks for a .789 hitting percentage.

“This is her senior season and she is giving it all she has got,” Johnson said. “She is a great leader and has a great will and competitive nature to find a way to get a kill.”

Malcom also is ranked 11th in the nation in blocks at 1.56 per set.