CANTON, Ohio – The Malone University volleyball team fell to 2-9 overall and 1-2 inside the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) with a 3-0 loss to Walsh University on Friday. The Cavaliers improved their record to 8-3 and are unbeaten in conference play at 3-0.
 
The Pioneers played together and with enthusiasm despite the loss. Junior Brianne Salinas led the charge with seven kills and sophomore Helaina Edgar distributed a team-high 15 assists. Defensively, freshman Madalyn Coblentz had nine digs, but it was a group effort from the back row with junior Jaymes Gilbert (6) and freshman Mikayla Yockey (5) with several quality digs as well. Freshman Hailey Conrad was credited with three block assists in the five total blocks for Malone.
 
In set one, the Pioneers came out swinging and tallied the first five points of the match. Salinas had a pair of kills and newcomer to the starting lineup junior Laiken Wallick recorded a kill during the run. A 7-1 scoring spree for Walsh gave the Cavaliers their first lead of the night at 14-11, but consecutive kills by Gilbert and sophomore Marissa Smith tied the first up at 19 apiece. Walsh finished the set strong at 25-21 to take the lead in the match.
 
Set two was the one that got away from the Pioneers the most with a 25-16 loss. After five first set kills, the Cavalier defense slowed the team leader Salinas in the period. However, it was Conrad in the middle that Malone turned to for three kills in the second set alone. Two big scoring runs for Walsh allowed them to take a lead that could not be overcome, one to go up 13-7 and one to finish the set at 25-16.
 
The Cavaliers were up to the task to secure the three-set win, but it did not come without a fighting chance from the home squad. Walsh had 18 kills in the third, but even still, the Pioneers hung in there with a match-high 15-for-25 effort on sideouts. Edgar was tasked as the primary setter for the entirety of the set and had one kill and six assists.
 
When the dust settled, the Cavaliers outscored Malone 60-35 on points and 49-27 on kills. Walsh held a significant advantage on swings and hit .303 in the match compared to the Pioneers' .095. The visitors had slightly more digs as well at 45-38.
 
Up next, Malone makes a return trip to Ursuline College, the opponent the Pioneers have already defeated this season. That match takes place on Tuesday, September 30 beginning at 6:00 P.M.