CANTON – The Malone University volleyball team opened their annual Hall of Fame City Challenge on Friday.

In game one for the Pioneers, they battled with Notre Dame College and came out on top after four sets. In their second game of the day, the Pioneers were swept by Edinboro University.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone Pioneers 3 – Notre Dame Falcons 1
• Final Score: Edinboro Fighting Scots 3 - Malone Pioneers 0
• Records: Notre Dame College (1-6) | Edinboro University (5-1) | Malone (2-4)
• Location: Canton, Ohio | Osborne Hall

THE MATCH | Malone 3 – Notre Dame 1
The Pioneers scored first in the opening set. After Gabby Pelfrey had a service ace the Pioneers took a 5-4 lead and didn't trail for the rest of set one to finish it 25-20.

Notre Dame scored the first three points of set two. While the Pioneers would tie it up multiple times, the two teams would go back and forth throughout the set. But it was an attack error by Samantha Comer that gave Malone a 15-14 lead; a lead they would carry to a 25-19 set final.

The Falcons responded in set three, again scoring the first three points unanswered. Notre Dame would gain as much as an eight point advantage three different times in the set as they forced a fourth set with a 25-16 mark.

Malone responded with a strong performance in the fourth set. A kill by Gabi Smith opened the frame and Malone retained their lead as they finished the match with a 25-23 advantage. 

THE MATCH | Edinboro 3 – Malone 0
In the first set the Pioneers fought for a comeback after a six point deficit. The comeback worked to force the Fighting Scotts into an extended set. However, Malone came up short as Edinboro took the first set 30-28.

While Malone scored first in the second set, Edinboro responded by taking a 6-1 lead. The Pioneers would not go down without a fight as Cierra Gurney, Ri'Gyn Humes, and Grace Rosko tallied seven kills in the following eight services to tilt the score in favor of Malone. The Fighting Scotts took a late lead to close the set 25-21 in favor if Edinboro.

The final set kept the two teams close as they traded leads in the early portion. Edinboro then rallied to take as much as a ten-point lead over the Pioneers. Once again Malone worked to rally back, but fell short, 25-19.

DETAILS
Offensively, Cierra Gurney led the Pioneers with a total of 25 kills on the day. Gabby Pelfrey had 4 aces against Notre Dame.

Molly Bullion had 39 assists in the first day of the Hall of Fame City Challenge. Pelfrey tallied 38 assists, including 22 in the match against the Falcons.

WHAT'S NEXT
Malone will have two more games tomorrow as they compete in Day two of the Hall of Fame City Challenge. The Pioneers will face Davenport University at 9:00 am and then Bloomsburg University at 3:45 pm.

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.