The Malone University volleyball team will make the short trip to Walsh University this weekend to take part in the Ohio Independent Championship Tournament.  The Pioneers, currently 28-10 overall, will compete as the No. 2 seed in the seven-team event which is slated to be held Friday and Saturday in North Canton.

In addition to Malone, the tournament field also consists of top-seeded Cedarville University (20-15 overall), No. 3 seed Walsh (24-7 overall), No. 4 seed Urbana University (8-25 overall), No. 5 seed Notre Dame College (11-19 overall), No. 6 seed Ursuline College (11-19 overall), and No. 7 seed Central State University (0-23 overall).

Seeds two through seven will open the event with quarterfinal matches on Friday.   As the top seed, Cedarville earned a bye into Saturday's semifinal round.

Friday's quarterfinal action gets underway at 3:00 p.m. with Urbana taking on Notre Dame.  The host Cavaliers will then face Ursuline at 5:00 p.m. before Malone and Central State conclude the opening day of competition with a 7:00 p.m. match. 

On Saturday, Cedarville will face the winner of the Urbana/Notre Dame contest at 10:00 a.m.  The winners of the other two quarterfinal matches will then square off at 12:00 p.m.  The championship contest is tentatively slated for 4:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon (start time could be earlier if both teams agree).

During the 2011 regular season, Malone posted 1-1 records in its match-ups with both Cedarville and Walsh.  The Pioneers were 1-0 against Urbana, Notre Dame and Ursuline.  Malone did not face Central State.

In addition to this OIC postseason tournament, Malone will also be competing in the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) National Tournament that is scheduled to be held December 1-3 in Kissimmee, Florida.  The Pioneers secured an automatic bid to the event by claiming the NCCAA East Region Tournament Title on October 29th.