The Malone University volleyball team finished day one of the Urbana University Invitational 1-1, dropping the first match to Shepherd University (WV) before bouncing back to capture a three-set victory over Kutztown University (PA).
 
In the tournament opener, the Pioneers used a Maggie Hamrock service run to open up a 7-0 lead over Shepherd in the first set. Malone went on to hit .483 in the set and held on for a 25-17 victory. Shepherd responded by hitting .400 in the second set to even the score with a 25-19 triumph. The Rams would go on to win a tightly contested third set 25-22 before closing out the match with a decisive 25-14 fourth set win.
 
Malone was led offensively by freshman Faith Lau and her team-high 12 kills. Sophomore hitters Mallory Adams and Veronica Gehring posted identical stat lines with 11 kills and a .348 attacking percentage. Senior middle hitter Haley Kool added nine kills on a .333 attacking average. Cathryn Miller recorded three service aces and 38 assists from her setter position.
 
Senior libero Lynsey Trusty collected a team-high 15 digs while Miller added 13 digs to complete her second double-double of the season. Haley Kool and Hannah Eliason each posted five blocks. With her efforts, Kool moved into 10th place on the Malone career block assists list with 165.
 
The Rams were led by freshman Peyton Lindblad who finished with a game-high 17 kills and a .538 attacking percentage in the win.
 
In Friday's second match, the Pioneers snapped a six-match losing streak with a much-needed win over Kutztown. After winning the first set 25-20, the Pioneers rallied from a 13-18 deficit to claim the second set 25-23. Malone hit .323 in the final frame to secure the three-set sweep with a 25-16 victory.
 
Faith Lau once again led the offensive attack with a team-high 11 kills while Haley Kool and Mallory Adams added nine and eight kills respectively. Cathryn Miller tallied 33 assists in guiding a balanced Malone offense that saw five different players total 20 or more attacks. Lynsey Trusty added three service aces, including back-to-back aces to close out the third set.
 
Trusty also led the team with 18 digs, surpassing the 500 career digs plateau in the process. Maggie Hamrock and Sydney Black chipped in with eight digs apiece while Adams totaled a team-high four blocks.
 
Malone, now 3-7 on the season, will be back in action tomorrow at 2:00 pm against Armstrong State (GA) and at 7:00 pm against Urbana. Preview notes for both matches, including links to live stats and video, are available by clicking here.