Box Score

In what was possibly the toughest hard-fought five-set match of the season for the Malone University volleyball team, the Pioneers prevailed in a thrilling come-from-behind win over Kentucky Wesleyan College in the team's first match at the GLVC/GLIAC crossover tournament in Aurora, Illinois on Friday.

Having lost the first set 12-25, the Pioneers bounced back to post a solid 25-16 win of their own in set two, only to see KWC turn the tables again with a 25-18 set win over Malone in the third set.  But the Pioneers then mustered the strength to post dramatic 28-26 and 16-14 wins, respectively, in the final two sets of the match for the thrilling win.

With the victory, Malone improved to 10-7 overall on the season (staying at 4-5 in GLIAC play) while Kentucky Wesleyan dropped to 7-14 on the year.

Outside hitter Taylor Slauterbeck pounded out a team-high 15 kills in the match and also added 10 digs and an ace while middle hitter Hannah Haver contributed 12 kills, two block assists and a pair of aces. Rightside hitter Diana Wallace blasted nine kills while also scooping up three digs while middle hitter Lauren Townley drilled nine kills but also added an impressive five service aces to the Pioneer cause.  In addition, setter Jackie Schwamberger had a great all-around match as she offered up 46 assists while also tallying eight kills, three aces and six digs.

KWC was paced by Ashley Smith who had 22 kills while Morgan Watson had a team-high 18 digs.

Malone will continue play in the crossover event by competing in two more matches tomorrow (Saturday) -- vs. Wisconsin-Parkside at 10:00 a.m. CDT (11:00 a.m. EDT) and vs. McKendree (IL) at 4:00 p.m. CDT (5:00 p.m. EDT).

View the GLVC/GLIAC crossover tournament website here.