WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. - The Malone University volleyball team fell to the West Liberty University Hilltoppers on Tuesday evening 3-1. The Pioneers drop to 0-4 with the loss while West Liberty is now 2-3 overall.
 
The Hilltoppers had a massive advantage in kills (52-36) and digs (64-42). Malone was led by Jaymes Gilbert with eight kills and four blocks (three solo). Mikayla Yockey had 16 assists in the loss. Madalyn Coblentz was the lone student-athlete in double figure digs with 13 for the Pioneers.
 
A 6-0 scoring run for West Liberty was key for the home team to secure a 25-15 set one win. Marissa Smith had three kills in the first set to pace Malone.
 
Set two was the best hitting performance for the Pioneers on the night with 11 kills and two errors. Gilbert and Brianne Salinas imposed their will at the net with a pair of solo blocks to keep Malone slightly in front mid-set. A late run by the Hilltoppers gave the opponents set point, but a bad serve opened the door for the Pioneers to score three straight points and take set two by a score of 26-24.
 
Helaina Edgar opened the third set with a service ace, then Gilbert capped off a 4-0 run to begin the frame with a solo block. West Liberty did not allow the Malone lead to last long and they began to wear down the Pioneers as the night went on. The Hilltoppers took the third set 25-19 and then used a 12-4 run to begin the fourth to take the fourth set 25-15 and the match.
 
Malone will be at home for the first time in 2025 for the Hall of Fame City Challenge. The first contest for the Pioneers will be on Friday, September 12 against Slippery Rock University. First serve is scheduled for 10:00 A.M.