CANTON, Ohio -- The Malone University volleyball team took on the Ohio Dominican University Panthers in a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) match on Saturday afternoon.
It was back-and-forth all afternoon long, as the Panthers (11-5, 5-2 G-MAC) needed all five sets to escape from Osborne Hall with a 3-2 win over the Pioneers (6-10, 2-5).
The final set scores in favor of Ohio Dominican were 19-25, 25-12, 23-25, 25-21, 15-11.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The Pioneers came out of the gate on fire offensively, scoring the first four points of the match unanswered on three kills from
Anna Mallette and another from Cierra Gurney.
Malone went on to put together one of their most efficient sets of the season, putting down 14 kills to just two errors. Overall the Pioneers posted a .400 attack percentage on their way to a 25-19 win in set one.
The second set was all Ohio Dominican. The Panthers quickly answered back with a 25-12 win to even the match at 1-1.
Malone rose to the occasion in the third set. The Pioneers had to fight back from a deficit several times along the way, including a thrilling rally late in the set.
With the Panthers leading 23-20, Malone scored the next five points unanswered to pull out the win. Two more kills from Mallette, combined with three errors from ODU gave the Pioneers the 25-23 win.
Ohio Dominican edged out a 25-21 win in set four to force a decisive fifth set.
Set five was back-and-forth early on, but ODU started to take control down the stretch. The Panthers scored the final three points in a row to win the set 15-11 and escape Osborne Hall with the 3-2 win.
PIONEER POINTS
- CC Gurney had a strong showing on the defensive side of the net for the Pioneers. The junior assisted on three of Malone's five total blocks.
- Anna Mallette posted a season-high 17 kills to led the way offensively. Meanwhile, Kristen Hankins posted 10 kills of her own, also a season-high for the junior.
- Audra Kocher got the nod in the starting lineup, and responded by leading the team with a season-high 24 assists.
- Macy McCauley led the way on the defensive backline with 24 digs.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pioneers are back at home next weekend for two more G-MAC matches. First up is a Friday night contest against Tiffin University. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Malone University athletic programs this year follow the Pioneers on Twitter and Instagram, like Malone University Athletics on Facebook or visit malonepioneers.com.
