CANTON, Ohio -- The Malone University volleyball program played their second match in a lengthy stretch of home contests on Friday night. The Pioneers entertained the Ohio Dominican University Panthers in Great Midwest Athletic Conference action.

The Panthers (3-0, 3-0 G-MAC) controlled momentum for much of the evening as they topped the Pioneers (1-3, 1-3 G-MAC) in straight sets by scores of 25-15, 25-14, 25-12.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Back-to-back kills from Taylor Small helped put Malone on top 3-1 early in the opening set. ODU quickly evened things up, and the match remained either tied or within one point for several scores. 

The Panthers went ahead 12-10, and then started to pull away from Malone. The Pioneers, aided by a kill from Anna Hopple and another from Cierra Gurney, were able to fight and stay within striking distance at 19-15. Unfortunately for the home team, ODU scored the final six points to take the first set 25-15. 

Ohio Dominican distanced themselves from Malone early in set two. The Panthers took a quick 7-2 lead and forced Malone to play from behind for the remainder of the set. 

Several possessions later a pair of ODU errors got Malone to within five at 15-10, but much like the opening set the Panthers closed things strong outscoring the Pioneers 10-3 down the stretch to win set two 25-14. 

The final set of the evening went much the same way. ODU jumped out to an early lead, and Malone was never able to recover. The Panthers closed out the match with a 25-12 set three win.

PIONEER POINTS

• Taylor Small led the way offensively for Malone with eight total points. All of her points came by way of kills.

• Cierra Gurney chipped in seven points for the Pioneers. She finished with six kills offensively, and also assisted on a pair of blocks on the defensive side of the net.

• Malone, who came into tonight's match leading the conference in aces per set, got one ace from Molly Bullion.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pioneers have a quick turnaround as they host the University of Findlay tomorrow afternoon. First serve from Osborne Hall is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.