CANTON, Ohio -- The Malone University volleyball team welcomed the Hillsdale College Chargers to Osborne Hall for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) match on Friday night.
The Chargers entered the weekend as the No. 18 team in the most recent AVCA NCAA Division II Top-25 Poll.
Hillsdale (21-4, 12-0 G-MAC) proved to be too much for Malone (8-16, 3-9) as the Chargers came away with the 3-0 win by set scores of 25-22, 25-19, 25-22.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Tonight was the Pioneers' annual Breast Cancer Awareness match.
As the most common cancer diagnosed in women, breast cancer will affect an estimated 281,550 women in the United States this year, with more than 43,000 dying from the disease. It is very important to have a yearly mammogram starting at age 40. Before age 40, it is wise to be aware of your breasts so you can report any changes to your physician. Early detection is the key to a good outcome!
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The opening set was back-and-forth early on.
Hillsdale grabbed a 14-11 lead midway through the set, but Malone rallied back to tie things up. Kills from
Anna Mallette and
Anna Hopple, combined with a Charger setting error tied the set at 14-14.
Hillsdale put down four of the next six points to put some distance between the Pioneers, but once again Malone fought back.
MU got as close as 24-22 on kills by Mallette and
Kristen Hankins, but the Chargers were able to hold on for the 25-22 set one win.
HC jumped out to an early 8-2 lead in the second set, which forced Malone to call a timeout.
The Pioneers regrouped out of the stoppage, and went on an 8-2 of their own to tie the set at 10-10. Malone's defense forced the Chargers into four errors as part of the run to help even the score.
Hillsdale eventually pushed their advantage out to 21-15, before closing out the second set 25-19.
Despite facing a 2-0 deficit in the match, Malone continued to fight in set three.
Once again the Pioneers were forced to rally back from a big Hillsdale run early. The Chargers led by as many as 11-4 before MU responded.
Two HC errors evened the score at 16-16, and then a kill from Hankins actually gave the Pioneers a 17-16 lead.
Unfortunately the Chargers closed the set by outscoring Malone 9-5 down the stretch to complete the 3-0 sweep.
PIONEER POINTS
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pioneers return to Osborne Hall tomorrow afternoon for a G-MAC match against the University of Findlay Oilers. First serve is slated for 1:00 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.
