The Malone University volleyball team played its best match of the year Friday night in a three-set victory over Ohio Valley University in the penultimate home contest of the season. The Pioneers never trailed by more than two points as they rolled to a 25-20, 25-9, 25-19 triumph and improved to 8-18 overall and 3-4 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
 
The Pioneers registered a .388 attacking percentage, their highest mark since 2014 and their second-highest of the NCAA Division II era. Malone collected 48 kills compared to just 10 attack errors on 98 swings. Ohio Valley, meanwhile, tallied 26 kills – the lowest by a Malone opponent this season.
 
Recap
In a close first set, Ohio Valley (8-12, 1-7 G-MAC) played to a 17-17 tie before a 5-0 Malone run broke the set open.  The Scots closed to within two points but Faith Lau and Kayla Jarosz produced kills to put the set away. Malone never trailed again in the match.
 
The Pioneers recorded a .650 attacking percentage with 13 kills and no errors on 20 swings in the dominant second set and then used 17 kills in the final set to put the finishing touches on a 1-hour, 8-minute victory. The sweep was Malone's first of the season.
 
Freshman Kayla Jarosz spiked 12 kills to lead the Malone attack. Senior outside hitter Faith Lau added 10 kills on a career-high .474 attacking percentage and freshman outside Anna Mallette slugged nine kills over two sets on a robust .643 attack percentage. Hannah Eliason collected seven kills and two blocks from the middle hitter position.
 
Senior libero Sydney Black served up a career-high five aces and hauled in a match-high 16 digs. Junior setter Elizabeth Selleny led the team with 22 assists.
 
Up Next
Malone closes out the home portion of the 2019 schedule in a Senior Day matchup with Alderson Broaddus Saturday at 1:00 pm.