The Malone University volleyball team took nationally-ranked Wheeling Jesuit University to four sets on Saturday afternoon, but the Pioneers fell to the Cardinals 20-25, 12-25, 25-19, 19-25 in a non-conference match.  With the loss, Malone dropped to 14-11 on the season.

Recap
Malone opened up the match on a 5-1 run against the Cardinals (23-4), who entered the week ranked 23rd in the latest AVCA Division II Poll.  Wheeling Jesuit responded with a 12-2 run that put them ahead 13-7 and forced a Malone timeout. Down 18-9 later in the set, the Pioneers answered with an 8-1 run that trimmed their deficit to 19-17, but they failed to come any closer as the host Cardinals went on to claim the set. Wheeling Jesuit then showed why it was ranked among the nation's best in the second set, leading from start to finish while hitting .591 (14 kills and just one error in 22 total attacks).

Down but not out against a quality opponent, Malone battled back in a competitive third set, holding WJU to a -.024 attacking percentage. The two teams played to an 18-18 deadlock before Malone won seven of the next eight points, including the final five. Two Pioneer blocks, kills by Veronica Gehring and Elizabeth Selleny, and a Selleny ace gave Malone a well-earned win in the set. The third-set victory for Malone marked just the 10th time all year that Jesuit lost a set to a team that was not ranked or receiving votes in the national poll.

Jesuit upped its winning streak to 20 straight matches with the 25-19 win in the final set. Down by as many as 12 points in the frame, Malone showed a ton of resolve, using a 9-1 run that turned a 22-10 deficit into just a 23-19 disadvantage. Back-to-back kills by the Cardinals, though, put the comeback bid to rest.

Save for the second set, the Malone defense was outstanding against the Cardinals attack which ranked 20th in DII in team hitting percentage (.253). Malone collected 11 total blocks in the match and 67 team digs.

The Malone back row was led by Faith Lau, who scooped up a career-high 18 digs. Maggie Hamrock and Sydney Black chipped in with 13 digs apiece. Up front, Mallory Adams totaled a team-high six blocks. Hannah Eliason added five blocks while Rachel Santos recorded four.

Offensively, Lau led the way with a team-high 11 kills. Adams and Santos each collected nine kills while Eliason added eight. Freshman setter Elizabeth Selleny had a breakout match, posting season-highs with 17 assists and eight digs. Selleny also registered two of Malone's three service aces.

Up Next
The Pioneers return to action next Thursday, November 2nd at home against Davis & Elkins.