WHITTIER, Calif. – Whittier College volleyball junior outside hitter Malena Thé has been on a roll to start her 2026 campaign. Over the past two weekends, Thé has earned Pacific Coast Classic All-Tournament Team honors and was also named to the Whittier College Invitational All-Tournament Team.

During the Poets' 3-1 weekend at the Pacific Coast Classic (Sept. 4-5), hosted in Claremont and La Verne, California, Thé was a dominant force on both offense and defense.

She totaled 54 kills, 58 digs, three blocks and three service aces. Thé averaged 13.5 kills and 14.5 digs per match while posting a .220 hitting percentage. Her best match of the tournament came against the Lasell Lasers, when she recorded 19 kills on a .226 hitting percentage to go along with two assists, 13 digs and one block.

Thé carried that momentum back to Dave Jacobs Court for the Whittier College Invitational (Sept. 11-12).

She finished the tournament with 52 kills, 44 digs, 10 blocks and six service aces, earning her second consecutive All-Tournament Team selection. Thé averaged 13 kills, 11 digs, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 aces per match while hitting .270.

Whittier opened the tournament against the Pacific Lutheran Lutes with a 3-1 victory, with Thé contributing 16 kills on a .351 hitting percentage, 18 digs, two service aces and three blocks.

Across eight matches between the two tournaments, Thé totaled 106 kills, 102 digs, 13 blocks and nine service aces. She averaged 13.25 kills and 12.75 digs per match over that span.

Thé and the Poets return to action this weekend when they travel to New Jersey for three matches, beginning their road trip at Kean University on Friday, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m. PST. Whittier will return to Dave Jacobs Court on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. against the La Verne Leopards to open SCIAC play.

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