PEPPER PIKE, Ohio – In a return to Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) action, the Malone University volleyball team dropped a five-set match at Ursuline College on Tuesday. The Pioneers fall to 5-16 overall and 2-6 in conference play while the Arrows are now 2-20 and 2-7 in league action.
 
Malone was led by sophomore Brianne Salinas with 17 kills on just 25 attack attempts (.480 hitting percentage). Freshman Emma Weirich (14) and senior Grace Rosko (10) had double figure kill numbers as well. Senior Gabby Pelfrey dished out 31 of the team's 55 assists, with freshman Helaina Edgar contributing 20. Senior Macy McCauley paced the defense with 29 digs and Weirich had a double-double with 14 digs.
 
After scoring the first three points of set one, the Pioneers fell behind by as many as five at 13-8. Malone battled back and a kill by sophomore Jaymes Gilbert drew even at 23-23. The set required extra points, but Ursuline was able to pull away for the win, 28-26.
 
Sets two and three were dominated by the Pioneers. Malone took set two by a score of 25-18 and then 25-15 in the third. The Pioneers had 17 kills in the second and 14 in the third while only having a combined four errors in those two periods. Malone was above .400 in hitting in each of the sets. Freshman Marissa Smith had the set-clinching kill in both sets.
 
The Arrows set up a fifth and final set with a 25-16 victory in the fourth set. It was there where Ursuline was able to claim the set and match, 15-9. The Arrows had two errors to the Pioneers' seven in the final set.
 
The season continues on Friday, October 25 at Ashland University. That match kicks off at 6:00 P.M.