Box Score

The Malone University volleyball team began play at the American Mideast Conference Postseason Tournament on Saturday afternoon with a three-set victory in its semifinal match against local rival Walsh University. The Pioneers, seeded third in the five-team event, edged the second-seeded Cavaliers 29-27, 25-21, 35-33. The victory improved Malone's record to 31-7 overall and avenged the Pioneers' two five-set losses to Walsh (22-9 overall) that occurred during the regular season. The Pioneers will now move on to face the tournament's host, AMC regular season champion Mount Vernon Nazarene University, in the event's championship match at 6:00 p.m. The winner of the AMC Postseason Tournament will earn the conference's lone automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round.

Senior outside hitters Lori Gale and Jennifer Gahagan each put together strong performances in Saturday's contest against Walsh as Gale posted 15 kills and 19 digs while Gahagan ripped 12 kills and scooped up 16 digs. Middle hitter Hannah Haver notched 10 kills with three blocks (one solo). Fellow Middle hitter Lauren Townley registered nine kills and six blocks (one solo). Setter Jackie Schwamberger tallied three kills, 43 assists and 15 digs while right-side hitter Megan Fisher contributed three kills and four block assists.

Malone claimed AMC regular season titles under current head coach Tanya Hockman in 2000 and 2001 but has never won the conference's postseason tournament or advanced to NAIA National Championship play.