The Malone University volleyball team improved to 14-6 on the season with a 25-21, 25-13, 25-15 Homecoming victory over Salem International University Saturday afternoon in Osborne Hall. With the victory, the Pioneers also upped their home record to 7-1 and their in-region record to 10-2.
 
Recap
The Pioneers raced out to a 10-4 lead in the opening set before Salem International began to chip away and close the gap. The Tigers came within two points four times in the middle of the frame, but Malone held on for the 25-21 win.

In the second, Malone took advantage of a pair of 6-0 service runs by Julia Marino and Mallory Adams and another 5-0 run that featured three kills by Faith Lau to take a two to nothing lead. In the third set, the two teams played to an 8-8 deadlock before Malone finally pulled away with an 8-0 run that included three more Lau kills and two Sydney Black service aces. A 6-0 service run by Lau later in the set and two Salem attack errors gave Malone the win.
 
Lau led Malone with 11 kills and a .375 attacking percentage. She also collected two service aces and seven digs defensively. Adams posted 10 kills and two aces in addition to her team-high four blocks on the defensive end. Hannah Eliason (5), Georgia Kiko (5), and Brooklyn Sullivan (4) combined for 14 kills. Cathryn Miller tossed in a team-high 16 assists while Elizabeth Selleny chipped in with 10.
 
Defensive specialist Sydney Black served up three aces while Marino recorded a pair. Maggie Hamrock added an ace and a team-high 14 digs. Rachel Santos added three blocks.
 
Alumni
Pioneer volleyball alumni were honored in between the second and third sets of today's match as part of the Homecoming festivities.
 

Up Next
The Pioneers will face a difficult stretch of three home matches this week beginning Tuesday, October 17th against Tiffin at 7:00 pm.