Box Score

The Malone University volleyball team suffered a three-set loss at Walsh University on Saturday afternoon in the semifinal round of the Ohio Independent Championships.  The third-seeded Cavaliers, hosts of the seven-team postseason tournament, topped the second-seeded Pioneers by scores of 25-14, 25-20, and 25-17.  Malone's overall record slipped to 29-11 with the tough defeat while Walsh improved to 26-7 overall.

The Cavaliers later went on to capture the first-ever OIC Volleyball Title by defeating top-seeded Cedarville University in the tournament's championship match.

Outside hitter Megan Fisher paced the Pioneer attack on Saturday with 10 kills.  Outside hitter Taylor Slauterbeck added nine kills and a team-high seven digs.  Middle hitters Diana Wallace and Lauren Townley ripped seven and five kills, respectively.  Setter Jackie Schwamberger also made substantial contributions with 27 assists and five digs. 

Malone will now shift its sights to the NCCAA National Tournament, a 10-team postseason event which is slated to be held December 1-3 in Kissimmee, Florida.  The Pioneers secured an automatic bid to NCCAA Nationals by winning the NCCAA East Region Tournament during the final weekend of October.  Seedings and match start times for the event have yet to be announced.