Malone vs. Southwestern Assemb. Box Score  |  Malone vs. Grace Box Score

The Malone University volleyball team began its trip to the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) National Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida on Thursday by suffering a pair of losses in its pool play matches against No. 8 seed Southwestern Assemblies of God (TX) University and No. 5 seed Grace (IN) College.  The Pioneers, seeded fourth among the ten-team tournament field, began the day with a narrow five-set defeat to the Lady Lions of SAGU by scores of 25-21, 20-25, 26-28, 25-22, and 13-15.  The Lancers then registered a 25-21, 25-18, 25-19 victory over Malone in the Pioneers' second match of the day.

Malone, playing without starting middle hitter Hannah Haver due to an injury suffered near the end of the regular season, fell to 29-13 overall following Thursday's action.  Malone will take part in two more pool-play matches on Friday.  The squad will square off with ninth-seeded Colorado Christian University at 12:00 p.m. before concluding pool play with a 4:00 p.m. contest against top-seeded California Baptist University.

Against SAGU, middle hitter Lauren Townley led the way with a career-high 22 kills. She also tallied two blocks (one solo) and two service aces.  Outside hitter Taylor Slauterbeck and middle hitter Diana Wallace each posted 13 kills.  Outside hitter Megan Fisher followed with 10 kills, 13 digs and two service aces.   Setter Jackie Schwamberger recorded 51 assists, six kills, 12 digs and three blocks (one solo).  Libero Allison Kirby also made solid contributions with nine digs.

In Thursday's finale with Grace, Fisher paced the Pioneer attack with 10 kills, three service aces and nine digs.  Townley and Wallace followed with nine and eight kills, respectively.  Schwamberger dished out 27 assists while Kirby scooped up 12 digs.

Following Friday's action, the two teams with the best records from each of the tournament's five-team pools will move on to Saturday's semifinal round.  In order to advance from Pool A, Malone will need to win both of its contests on Friday and then get some help from the results of the other pool-play contests.

A live video stream of Friday's action can be viewed free of charge through the following link: http://www.gpsnonline.com/2011/11/27/womens-volleyball-national-tournament-begins-december-1st-court-2/