LOCK HAVEN, Pennsylvania -- On Saturday the Malone University volleyball team closed out the final day of the Lock Haven University Invitational by splitting a pair of matches. 

In the morning the Pioneers (3-1) dropped a match in straight sets to Notre Dame College (4-0). Malone returned to the court for the final match of the tournament, and easily dispatched of Roberts Wesleyan College (0-4) by a score of 3-0. 

MATCH ONE: 3-0 LOSS VS. NOTRE DAME COLLEGE
It was tough sledding for the Pioneer offense in match one. On the other side of the net, the Falcons offensive attack was relentless. NDC hit .310 as a team over the three sets, and put down 46 total kills. 

Freshman Macy McCauley continued her strong collegiate debut weekend by leading Malone's offense with nine total kills. 

Meanwhile Kristen Hankins had a strong showing defensively with three of the team's eight block assists. 

MATCH TWO: 3-0 WIN VS. ROBERTS WESLEYAN COLLEGE
The nightcap match against the Red Hawks was a complete flip of the script from the morning. Malone simply overpowered RWC, winning in straight sets by scores of 25-9, 25-12, and 25-10. 

13 different players played in the match, and 10 different players scored at least one point for the Pioneers. 

It was once again McCauley leading the way with nine more kills, while Anna Mallette and Anna Hopple each had five. 

Malone hit a whopping .329 as a team, and their defense held Roberts Wesleyan to a -.084 mark. The Pioneers outblocked the Red Hawks 8-2, and scored 7 points on aces from the service line.

PIONEER POINTS

• Macy McCauley had 18 total kills on the day, and ends the weekend with a team-high 32 on the season.
• Molly Bullion had a season-high 18 assists against Roberts Wesleyan. She is averaging 4.46 assists per set so far this year.
• Kristen Hankins had six total blocks on the day. She is already up over double digits this season with 10 total blocks.
• 3-1 overall in the best start to a season for Malone since the Pioneers started out the 2017 season 4-0. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pioneers will open up the home portion of their 2021 schedule next weekend, by hosting the annual Hall of Fame City Challenge.

Malone opens up the tournament on Friday with match against Slippery Rock University at 10:00 a.m. They will also play Saginaw Valley State University at 2:30 p.m.