The Malone University volleyball team took NCAA DII #19 Wheeling University to four sets and nearly forced a fifth, but ultimately fell 14-25, 18-25, 25-19, 23-25 in a non-conference match Tuesday evening in northern West Virginia. The Pioneers dropped to 6-16 on the season while the nationally-ranked Cardinals improved to 19-3.
 
Recap
Malone was guilty of 10 attack errors in the opening set while the prolific Wheeling offense posted a .345 attacking percentage and showed their strength during a 11-1 run. The Cardinals were even more impressive in the second set, producing 21 kills on a .514 attacking percentage as they extended their lead.
 
Malone regrouped in the third set and battled their way to a 25-19 win. The Pioneers collected 16 kills in the frame, including five from Anna Mallette and four each from Brooklyn Sullivan and Kayla Jarosz. The Pioneers fought back from a 10-5 deficit with a 10-2 rally and never relinquished their advantage over the high-flying Cardinals.
 
The Pioneers continued their attack in the seesaw fourth set with 18 kills. With the scored tied 19-19, Malone reeled off three straight kills from Cierra Gurney, Jarosz, and Sullivan to take the largest lead of the frame but would see its lead quickly slip away. The hosts won the next five points before eventually sending Malone to its eighth-straight defeat and suppressing its hopes of an upset.
 
After struggling in the first set, Malone bounced back to hit .281 over the final three sets. The .209 four-set figure was still the fifth-highest by a Wheeling opponent this season and Malone's 56 kills were the fourth-most.
 
Kayla Jarosz tied a season-high with 17 kills to go along with three blocks. Rachel Santos added nine kills and three blocks while Faith Lau contributed nine kills and 12 digs. Brooklyn Sullivan posted eight kills and Anna Mallette chipped in with seven kills in just two sets.  Freshman Anna Hopple also recorded her first collegiate kill and defensive specialist Sierra Lau recorded two service aces.
 
Setter Elizabeth Selleny led the Malone attack with 25 assists while elevating 11 digs on the defensive end. Abbie Swaino provided 17 assists and a pair of kills. Libero Sydney Black led Malone defensively with 13 digs and Cierra Gurney registered a team-high five blocks.
 
All-American hitter Haley Kramer led Wheeling with 18 kills and All-American setter Stephanie Sylvester totaled 55 assists.
 
Up Next
Malone hosts Ursuline on Friday at 7:00 pm and Lake Erie this Saturday at 1:00 pm in a pair of conference matches.