PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- The Malone University volleyball team went back north on Saturday for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) matchup with Ursuline College. 

The Pioneers took the opening two sets, and the Arrows were never able to recover. In the end Malone scored the 3-1 win. 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone University Pioneers 3 - Ursuline College Arrows 1 | 25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 25-18
• Records: Malone (7-8, 4-3 G-MAC) | Ursuline (2-12, 0-7 G-MAC)
• Location: Pepper Pike, Ohio | Sister Diana Stano Athletic Center - The Jane and Lee Seidman Gymnasium

THE MATCH
Set One
After falling behind 6-2 early on, the Pioners scored the next four points of the set to even things up at 6-6. 

That run created some quick momentum for Malone which led to MU winning five of the next six points to create some separation. That run was capped off by an emphatic block from Grace Rosko and Ri'Gyn Humes. 

The Arrows played the Pioneers even the rest of the way, but that scoring run midway through the set proved to be the difference. 

Malone closed out the opening set with a kill by Grace Rosko to give them the 25-21 win. 

Set Two
Once again it was several scoring runs by the Pioneers that gave Malone the advantage in the second set. 

Kristin Hankins put down a kill late to put MU up 23-16.

Unfortunately Ursuline refused to go down without a fight. The Arrows rattled off six straight points to cut Malone's lead down to 23-22. 

The Pioneers were able to regroup however. Anna Mallette's kill and an Ursuline error gave Malone the 25-22 win.

Set Three
The Arrows rallied back in set three. 

Ursuline's defense limited Malone to just seven kills. On the other end UC posted 14 kills, and came away with a 25-20 win.

Set Four
MU came right back in the fourth set, and was able to put Ursuline away. 

The Pioneers opened up a quick 5-1 lead, and then used a huge 6-0 run late in the set to pull away from the Arrows. 

That run was highlighted by kills from both Gabi Smith, Grace Rosko, and Ri'Gyn Humes, as well as a service ace from Gabby Pelfrey.

Ultimately Hankins' fourth kill of the afternoon was the match point that gave Malone the 25-18 set win, and 3-1 match victory. 

DETAILS
CC Gurney led the Pioneers with 12 kills, while Anna Mallette added 11. That duo becomes the first Malone players to top double-digit kills this season since Mallette's 14 kills in the September 13 win over Walsh. 

Defensively, Gabi Smith had five total blocks, while Kristen Hankins had four. Anna Mallette led the team with 20 digs. 

Gabby Pelfrey led the way with 20 assists. Molly Bullion finished with 17.

WHAT'S NEXT
Malone travels to the University of Findlay on Tuesday night for a 7:00 p.m. G-MAC match.

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.