CANTON, Ohio – In the second match of a back-to-back, the Malone University volleyball team lost to Lake Erie College by a score of 3-2. Malone falls to 5-12 with the loss and 02-5 inside the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). Lake Erie is 4-12 and 2-6 (G-MAC) following the victory.
 
While close throughout, the Pioneers were able to sneak away with a 25-23 set one win to take the lead. A combined block by Brianne Salinas and Annika Nichols gave the team the lead at 9-8 and the team would not trail again in the first. Malone was at set point at 24-20, but the Storm put together three in a row to inch closer. A kill by Emma Weirich put the first to bed.
 
The second and third sets were all Lake Erie. The Storm took a two-sets-to-one advantage thanks to a 25-16 victory in the second and 25-19 in the third. Lake Erie had 13 kills in the second and 14 in the third.
 
A new additions into the lineup in Kassidy Gorsuch and Audra Brandenburg helped turn the fortunes for the Pioneers beginning in the fourth set. Gorsuch had four points in the midst of a 7-0 run to put the home squad ahead 10-4. Grace Rosko caught fire late in the set with three kills to help get to the 25-19 final score in the fourth.
 
After falling behind early in the fifth, Helaina Edgar found Brandenburg and Nichols for kills to draw even at 9-9. Malone led 12-11, but Lake Erie was able to secure the final four points of the 15-12 set and the match.
 
The Storm held a 63-46 edge in kills, and Rosko led the way with 12. Gabby Pelfrey had a team-high four aces and 23 assists to pace the offense. Salinas was credited with five blocks (one solo) and Macy McCauley notched 23 digs.
 
The Pioneers will compete in the Midwest Region Crossover beginning on October 18.