MIDLAND, Mich. - The Malone University volleyball team dropped a key Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) contest to Northwood University on Friday evening to fall to 6-18 overall and 5-8 in league play. The win helps to further solidify Northwood's postseason resume at 11-10 and 6-6 inside the G-MAC.
 
The Timberwolves dominated the first set to the tune of a 25-12 win. The home team had 13 kills on just 24 swings. Nine errors by the Pioneers helped push the lead even farther in favor of Northwood. Hailey Conrad had three digs on defense in the set.
 
Set two started well for Malone with a 6-3 advantage, but the challengers from the north battled back with the Pioneers from there. Malone opened up an 18-15 lead and forced the Timberwolves into a timeout to try to stay in the second set. Brianne Salinas and Jaymes Gilbert combined for a block coming out of the break to stretch out the lead, but Northwood stayed ready to go and came from behind for a 27-25 win.
 
The Timberwolves went ahead 12-7 before Rafael Gonzalez used his first timeout in set three. The break would be ineffective as Northwood pulled away for the three-set win by a score of 25-19. Malone showed late life, but failed to overcome the massive hole they had dug themselves.
 
Helaina Edgar had 23 assists for the offense and set it most effectively to Gilbert with a team-high 10 kills. Conrad (16), Madalyn Coblentz (12) and Edgar (10) were credited with double-digit dig numbers in the match.
 
The Pioneers get back after it on Saturday, November 8 at Hillsdale College. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 P.M.