The Malone University volleyball team lost a pair of matches to the University of Indianapolis and Bellarmine University Friday at the Midwest Region Crossover at the Academy Volleyball Club in Indianapolis. With the two defeats, Malone dropped to 13-10 on the season.
 
UIndy 3, Malone 0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-15)
The Greyhounds, who entered as the number five seed from the GLVC, flexed their muscles in holding Malone to season lows in points (34), kills (26), attacking percentage (.085), and digs (38). UIndy, meanwhile hit .340 in the match, the best by a Malone opponent this season.
 
The Pioneers hit .219 in the first set, but after taking a 2-0 lead, never led by more than two points as the Greyhounds hit .395 with 19 kills. The two teams were tied at 9-9 in the second set before UIndy pulled   away with a 15-2 run. The Pioneers maintained an early lead in the third set, but another lengthy UIndy run, this time a 13-2 rally, proved to be their undoing.
 
Faith Lau and Hannah Eliason each totaled six kills to pace the Pioneer attack as setter Cathryn Miller handed out 20 assists. Lau, who added two service aces, led the defense with eight digs while Miller chipped in with seven. Mallory Adams collected three blocks at the net.
 
Katie Furlong led the victors with 12 kills.
 
Bellarmine 3, Malone 0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-18)
The Pioneers struggled for the second straight match facing one of the Region's best defensive units. Bellarmine, who entered as the number eight seed from the GLVC, limited Malone to just 31 kills and a .100 attacking percentage.
 
Malone never led by more than two points at any time in the match and not at all in the final two sets. Down 24-17 in the first, the Pioneers fought off five straight set-points but eventually fell 25-22. From there, it was all Bellarmine as Malone suffered its second sweep of the day.
 
Mallory Adams posted a team-high nine kills while Veronica Gehring totaled six kills and Cathryn Miller distributed 26 assists. Adams and Sydney Black tossed up two service aces apiece to aid in the scoring.
 
Defensively, Abby Hasebein recorded a team-high 10 digs while Faith Lau chipped in with eight. Hannah Eliason registered three blocks, including two solo.
 
All-American libero Jordyn Kuchenbrod collected a match-high 28 digs to lead the Knights.
 
Up Next
The Pioneers will hope to salvage a win at the Crossover when they take on McKendree on Saturday at 1:00 pm.