Box Score

The Malone University volleyball team suffered its second straight five-set loss in a non-conference match at the University of Rio Grande on Friday evening. The Red Storm took the first set of the evening 25-23 before the Pioneers fought back to take frames two and three by scores of 25-19 and 25-20. Malone was unable to put the contest away, however, as Rio Grande claimed set four 25-23 and then outlasted the Pioneers 15-10 in the decisive fifth set. The loss gave Malone back-to-back defeats for just the second time this season, dropping the Pioneers' overall record to 29-7. The Red Storm, meanwhile, improved to 21-13 with the narrow victory.

Middle hitter Hannah Haver paced the Malone attack with 14 kills, three service aces and five blocks (two solo). Outside hitter Lori Gale followed with 13 kills, 11 digs and three blocks (one solo). Outside hitter Jennifer Gahagan added 12 kills and nine digs while middle hitter Lauren Townley posted 11 kills with seven digs. Other contributors included setter Jackie Schwamberger with five kills, 43 assists and 16 digs, right side hitter Megan Fisher with five kills and libero Allison Kirby with 15 digs.

Malone will be back in action on Saturday as it wraps up its regular season schedule with a 12:00 p.m. match at Shawnee State University.

Postseason Picture: The Pioneers have secured the third seed in the upcoming AMC Postseason Tournament that will be held November 11-12 at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, the conference's regular-season champion. Malone will open play at the event on Friday evening with a 7:00 p.m. match against second-seeded Walsh University. The winner of this five-team, single-elimination event will receive the conference's lone automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament.