CEDARVILLE, Ohio -- The Malone University volleyball team traveled to Cedarville University on Saturday for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) match. 

Unfortunately the Yellow Jackets narrowly edged out the Pioneers for the win in four sets. 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Cedarville University Yellow Jackets 3 - Malone University Pioneers 1 | 25-16, 25-21, 26-24, 25-23
• Records: Malone (4-6, 1-1 G-MAC) | Cedarville (4-6, 2-1 G-MAC)
• Location: Cedarville, Ohio | Callan Athletic Center

THE MATCH
Set One
The Yellow Jacket offense started strong as Cedarville had kills on 17 of their 25 points. 

Malone was held to just a .038 hitting percentage as the Jackets took the opening set 25-16.

Set Two
The Pioneers struggled to overcome an early run by Cedarville. 

The Yellow Jackets led by as many as nine points in the set before holding off a late comeback from Malone. 

Ultimately Cedarville won the set 25-21 to take a 2-0 lead in the match. 

Set Three
The Pioneers responded in a big way with a thrilling 26-24 win in set three. 

With the Jackets leading 9-4 early, Malone got back-to-back kills from Ri'Gyn Humes and two service aces from CC Gurney to pull within just one point. 

At one point Cedarville led by as many as seven points late in the set before a huge Pioneer rally. 

A 9-2 run by Malone featured kills by both Gabi Smith and Kristen Hankins. MU's defensive effort also forced Cedarville into several errors which led to the match being tied at 19-19. 

After three consecutive points from the Yellow Jackets, the Pioneers answered with five points in a row to take a crucial 24-22 lead. The five point swing was capped off by two more emphatic kills from Ri'Gyn Humes. 

Cedarville fought back to tie the set at 24-24, but Grace Rosko's kill and a CU error allowed Malone to score the 26-24 set win.

Set Four
The momentum gained from the big win in set three catapulted Malone to an early lead in the fourth set. A kill from Gabi Smith capped off a 6-0 Malone run that had the Pioneers leading 7-2 early on. 

Unfortunately the home Yellow Jackets fought all of the way back, and ultimately pulled out a back-and-forth 25-23 set win to finish off the 3-1 match victory. 

DETAILS
Ri'Gyn Humes was the lone Pioneer with double-digit kills. The senior finished with a season-high 14 on an outstanding .524 attack percentage. She also had a pair of block assists to finish the match with a team-high 15 points. 

Gabi Smith continued the strong start to her collegiate career with 8 kills. 

CC Gurney and Molly Bullion each had four service aces.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers return home for three straight G-MAC contests next week. 

Up first is a matchup with cross-town rival Walsh University on Tuesday night. First-serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

All fans are encourage to wear the color red and participate in a 'red out' of Osborne Hall.

FOLLOW THE PIONEERS
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 www.malonepioneers.com.