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The Malone University volleyball team won the program's third NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) East Region Championship on Saturday afternoon at Osborne Hall after recording victories over Geneva (PA) College and Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College in the semifinal and final rounds of the NCCAA East Region Tournament. 

The Pioneers opened the day by registering a 25-18, 25-18, 25-11 triumph in their semifinal-round match-up with Geneva.  Malone then outlasted Roberts Wesleyan in the four-set Championship Match, winning by scores of 25-22, 21-25, 25-17 and 25-17. 

The Redhawks, seeded third among the tournament's six teams, downed fifth-seeded Nyack (NY) College during Saturday morning's quarterfinals.  Roberts Wesleyan would then advance to take on second-seeded Malone after knocking off No. 1 seed Mount Vernon Nazarene University in the tournament's semifinal round.

Malone will move on to compete in the NCCAA National Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida Nov. 29-Dec. 1.  The Pioneers, now 22-10 overall, have made seven previous appearances at the NCCAA National Tournament, including in two out of the last three years (2009 & 2011).

During Saturday's semifinal against Geneva, middle hitter Diana Wallace and outside hitter Anna Hays each registered nine kills to pace a balanced Malone attack.  Outside hitter Taylor Slauterbeck followed with eight kills, two service aces and six digs while middle hitters Hannah Haver and Lauren Townley posted seven kills apiece.  Setter Jackie Schwamberger also made a significant contribution with 30 assists and team-high 10 digs.

In the championship contest with Roberts Wesleyan, Townley led the way with 15 kills and four blocks (three solo).  Haver followed with 13 kills, five digs and four blocks (three solo).  Slauterbeck ripped 11 kills to go with a match-high 15 digs.  Hays added seven kills while Wallace tallied five kills and five blocks (four solo).   Other contributors included Schwamberger with 49 assists, libero Katie Hasebein with 14 digs and outside hitter Elizabeth Maczuzak with three aces.