Box Score
The Malone University volleyball team endured a 25-16, 25-19, 25-14 loss to Lewis-Clark State (ID) College on Wednesday evening in its second of three pool play matches at the NAIA National Tournament. The Pioneers had fallen in three sets to NAIA No. 4 Northwestern (IA) College on Tuesday evening and were unable to bounce back Wednesday against the NAIA No. 9 Warriors, dropping to 33-9 overall following the tough loss. Lewis-Clark State, meanwhile, improved to 29-2 overall with the victory.
Malone will compete in its final pool play match on Thursday evening at 5:45 CST (6:45 EST) against the fourth member of Pool D, NAIA No. 17 Point Loma Nazarene (CA) University. The Sea Lions edged Lewis-Clark State in five sets on Tuesday and then handed Northwestern its first loss of the year late Wednesday eveing.
The Pioneers registered 27 kills and a .060 hitting percentage in Wednesday's contest but it was not enough to overcome Lewis-Clark State's balanced attack. Outside hitter
Jennifer Gahagan posted a team-high 12 kills for Malone to go with one ace and nine digs. Fellow outside hitter
Lori Gale added six kills and eight digs. Setter
Jackie Schwamberger contributed 20 assists, 12 digs and four kills while right-side hitter
Megan Fisher also tallied four kills.
The Warriors piled up 41 kills and a .225 hitting percentage in the contest. Middle hitter Deddiy Alaimaleata paced Lewis-Clark State with 10 kills. Middle hitter Nicole Graybeal followed with eight kills, seven digs and three blocks. Outside hitter Kelli Tikker added seven kills, 13 digs and two aces.
The top two squads from each of the event's six pools will advance to the single-elimination bracket that begins on Friday. Unfortunately, because the three other teams in Pool D have posted at least one victory thus far, Malone will not move on in tournament play regardless of the the outcome of Thursday's match against Point Loma Nazarene. Live stats from the Pioneers' third pool play contest will be available through
California Baptist University's website.
NAIA Volleyball National Tournament Website
