The Malone University volleyball team came away with its third straight five-set road victory on Thursday night, downing Davis & Elkins College (26-28, 29-27, 24-26, 25-17, 15-12) in D&E's home opener. With the victory, the Pioneers upped their overall record to 8-4 on the season and improved to 3-1 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. The Senators, meanwhile, fell to 4-7 on the year and 2-2 in the G-MAC.
 
Recap
In a seesaw opening set that saw the two teams tied at every point from 11 through 20 and then again at 23 through 26, the Pioneers never led by more than a single point.  The hosts finally claimed the set on a kill and a Malone attack error.  In a back-and forth second set, Malone overcame a five-point deficit before eventually taking a 24-20 lead. The Pioneers squandered that lead, however, losing four-straight set-points. After dropping three more set-points, Malone ultimately captured the set on a Veronica Gehring kill and a Maggie Hamrock service ace to tie the match at 1-1.
 
In the third set, Malone managed to take a 24-20 lead for the second straight set, but again lost four consecutive set-points as the Senators closed out the set on a 6-0 run. As they have for much of the early season, the Pioneers showed their maturity and moxie late in the match, however, winning both of the final two sets. 

Down 8-9 in the fourth, Malone rattled off a 17-8 run to close it out and force a decisive fifth. Then in the fifth, the Pioneers battled through an early deficit and a valiant comeback effort from D&E before winning four of the final six points to secure the victory. Dating back to last season, Malone is now 6-0 in its last six five-set matches.
 
Veronica Gehring led the Pioneer attack with 15 kills in the marathon match. She was supported by Faith Lau, who had 14 kills and two aces, and Mallory Adams, who totaled 12 kills and four aces. Hannah Eliason chipped in with eight kills. Cathryn Miller posted a team-high 27 assists while Elizabeth Selleny added nine.
 
Adams led the Malone defense with 13 digs and six blocks on the way to her third double-double of the season. Brooklyn Sullivan added five blocks while Gehring matched a season-high with four. Maggie Hamrock collected a team-high 14 digs. Lau and Rachel Santos each scooped up eight.
 
Sasha Johnson led Davis & Elkins with seven blocks to go along with 13 kills.
 
Up Next
Malone will trek to Alderson Broaddus on Friday, September 22nd for another crucial G-MAC East Division contest beginning at 7:00 pm.