GREENSBURG, Pa. – After being swept at home earlier this season, the Malone University volleyball team returned the favor to the Seton Hill University Griffins on Monday with a 3-0 victory in their gym. The Pioneers move to 5-10 overall and this is just the third loss of the year for the Griffins at 13-3.
 
A 9-2 difference in aces and 8-3 mark in blocks helped propel Malone to victory. The team also had slightly more digs at 39-36. Seton Hill was contained to a .117 hitting percentage. Annika Nichols found herself in double figures in kills with 10 and Gabby Pelfrey dished out 17 assists for the offense. Splitting time at setter, Helaina Edgar had 15 dimes. Macy McCauley had a team-high 12 digs in the back row.
 
The Pioneers claimed a back-and-forth first set by a mark of 25-21. Nichols and Grace Rosko combined for a block, then a kill and ace by Nichols marked the final three Malone points as they scored five of the final six points of the first.
 
The Pioneers would use that momentum to take control of set two at 16-10. A 9-1 scoring run from the Griffins put the home team back in front, however it was a pair of blocks by Jaymes Gilbert and Emma Weirich sparked a comeback. Malone had set point at 24-20 before Seton Hill rattled off three points in a row, but Edgar found Nichols for the final point once more for the 25-23 victory.
 
Set three saw the Pioneers slowly but surely pull ahead and at 15-10 Malone, the Griffins were forced to use a timeout to regroup. Two kills by Rosko continued to carry the Pioneers forward and the opponents had to use their second timeout at 20-13. Malone had match point at 24-16, but again Seton Hill made a scoring run, but it was too little, too late in the 25-22 win thanks to a solo block by Brianne Salinas.
 
A rivalry game awaits the Pioneers against Walsh University on Thursday, October 10 at 7:00 P.M. inside Osborne Hall.