PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- The Malone University volleyball team wrapped up a long stretch of road matches on Saturday night with a trip to Ursuline College for a G-MAC matchup against the Arrows. 

It was back-and-forth all evening long, but in the end it was a near perfect fifth set for the Pioneers (6-7, 2-2 G-MAC) that gave Malone the 3-2 win over Ursuline (2-10, 1-3 G-MAC). 

The set scores were: 25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-6. 

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The Pioneers came out of the gate strong, putting down 10 kills in the opening set to help score the win. 

Trailing 12-8 to early, Malone battled back. They got a kill from Anna Hopple, and a service ace from Hallie Pinkerton to help even up the score at 16-16. 

Late in the set a kill from Anna Mallette, and a bad set attempt from the Arrows put the Pioneers up 23-21. Another Ursuline error, and emphatic kill from Mallette closed out the 25-23 set one victory for the Pioneers. 

The Arrows responded in set two with some offensive adjustments that led to a whopping 17 kills, and a 25-21 win to even the match at 1-1.

Set three was again tightly contested, this time it was Malone's defense that made the difference. The Pioneers forced Ursuline into 12 errors to help pick up the 25-23 win.

Malone had four total blocks in the third set. Grace Rosko and Kristen Hankins were each in on two blocks each to help lead the defensive effort. 

The Pioneers led 23-19 late before a huge Ursuline run tied things up. The defense rose to the occasion forcing two errors from the Arrows to secure the 25-23 win, and move ahead 2-1 in the match. 

Unfortunately for Malone, Ursuline's offense was strong in set four. This time the Arrows put down kills on 18 of the 25 points to score a 25-22 win, and even the match at 2-2. 

The decisive fifth set was all Pioneers. It was tied at 4-4 early before four straight Malone points, including a pair of kills from Macy McCauley, put MU up 8-4. 

Ursuline got as close at 10-6, but the Arrows never scored again. The Pioneers won the final five points of the set in a row to close out the match 3-2. 


PIONEER POINTS

• Malone's defense had a season-high 10 blocks on the night. Kristen Hankins led the way with six total blocks, while Grace Rosko added four. 
• Anna Mallette topped the double-digit kills mark for the seventh time this season. She led the Pioneers with 16 kills.
• Molly Bullion and Gabby Pelfrey each had 19 assists to help Malone's offensive system.
• Hallie Pinkerton had another stellar peformance defensively, leading the team with 30 digs. She also had a pair of aces offensively.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Malone returns home on Tuesday night for what will be the first of five consecutive G-MAC matches inside Osborne Hall. 

Tuesday night's first serve against Walsh University is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.