The Malone University volleyball team suffered a three-set defeat to rival Walsh University Tuesday evening in a non-conference match in North Canton. The Pioneers fell to 7-18 on the season while the Cavaliers improved to 14-6 and won the 10th straight match in the series.
 
Walsh 3, Malone 0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-19)
Following a service ace by Sydney Black and kills from Anna Mallette and Brooklyn Sullivan, Malone grabbed a 20-18 late in the opening set, but would see Walsh win five of the next seven points. After a service error tied the set at 23-23, Walsh held on to win the next two points in the closest set of the evening.
 
The Pioneers raced out to a 9-5 in the second set before a 7-0 run gave the hosts a lead they would not relinquish. The two teams were tied at 11-11 in the final set, but the Cavs pulled away for good with an 11-4 rally. Malone totaled just 15 kills in the final two sets and 26 overall, marking its second-lowest output of the season. The Cavaliers collected 43 total kills and had 66 digs to Malone's 55.
 
Faith Lau led the Pioneers with six kills as Anna Mallette and Kayla Jarosz followed with five apiece. Setters Elizabeth Selleny and Abbie Swaino distributed 11 assists each.
 
Sydney Black collected a team-high 19 digs and two service aces while Abby Hasebein added nine digs. Hannah Eliason returned from a seven-match hiatus with five blocks and a trio of kills.
 
Up Next
Malone concludes the home portion of the schedule this Friday and Saturday against Ohio Valley and Alderson Broaddus