The Malone University volleyball team suffered a tough five-set loss to Hillsdale in a non-conference match Friday night in Osborne Hall. Friday's loss dropped the Pioneers to 3-13 on the season while Hillsdale improved to 11-2. The five-set defeat was the third such loss in four matches for Malone and the sixth straight loss overall.
 
In front of a loud home crowd, Malone took advantage of 20 Hillsdale errors to claim the first set 25-20. In the second set, the Pioneers hit .324 and connected on 15 kills including a Faith Lau kill to close out the set 25-22. The Pioneers couldn't keep up the pace in the final three sets, however, as they struggled to tally points. Hillsdale won the last three sets 25-15, 25-18, and 15-11 to finish off the come-from-behind victory despite finishing the match with 53 errors.
 
Lau led Malone with 10 kills while Haley Kool totaled nine kills and Mallory Adams chipped in with eight kills. Tori Hall led the two-setter rotation with 20 assists.
 
The Pioneers received a tremendous defensive effort from senior libero Lynsey Trusty who set a new career-high with 29 digs. Adams also set a new career-mark with 13 digs to go along with her four blocks. Kool and Cathryn Miller each contributed four blocks. Maggie Hamrock added nine digs.
 
Malone will be back in action on Saturday in a tri-match with West Virginia Wesleyan and Charleston (WV) in Charleston. Match times are set for 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Preview notes are available by clicking here.