Malone vs. Colorado Christian Box Score  |  Malone vs. California Baptist Box Score

At the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) National Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida on Friday, the Malone University volleyball team competed in its final two pool play matches of the 10-team event but lost both matches. In their first match of the day, the fourth-seeded Pioneers lost to #9 Colorado Christian University 18-25, 15-25, 25-23, 18-25 before falling to top-seeded California Baptist University 19-25, 23-25, 16-25 in their final match of the event.

Coupled with a pair of Thursday pool play losses, to #8 Southwest Assemblies of God (TX) and to #5 Grace (IN) College, Malone, which was without the services of starting middle hitter Hannah Haver for the last month of the season due to a knee injury, closed out the event with an 0-4 record and did not advance to Saturday's semifinal round. Despite the disappointing finish at the NCCAA national event, the Pioneers still finished the 2011 campaign with a very fine 29-15 overall record.

Against Colorado Christian, Pioneer outside hitter Taylor Slauterbeck paced the team's offensive attack with 10 kills while also adding four digs and one block assist. Middle hitter Lauren Townley followed with eight kills and two block assists while outside hitter Megan Fisher and middle hitter Diana Wallace blasted six kills apiece. Fisher led the team in both service aces, with three, and digs, with 11, and she also contributed two block assists. In addition, setter Jackie Schwamberger tossed up 21 assists in the match for the Pioneers.

In the California Baptist match, Wallace fueled the offense with a team-high seven kills and one solo block while Townley followed with six kills and one block assist. Slaughterbeck nailed five kills and drilled two service aces while Fisher contributed four kills and eight digs. Defensive specialist Allison Kirby paced the team in digs with 10. In addition, Schwamberger tallied 20 assists for the team.