CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. - The Malone University volleyball team began their trip to the state of Kentucky with a 3-0 loss at Thomas More University on Friday. The Pioneers are now 4-13 overall and 2-6 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) action while the Saints advance to 7-9 and 3-5 in conference play.
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Thomas More hit .278 on the night and had a 41-32 advantage on kills. Defensively, the Saints had ten more digs at 36-26.
Marissa Smith (seven kills) and
Helaina Edgar (15 assists) were the individual leaders on offense for Malone and the libero
Jaclyn Jundzilo had a team-high six digs.
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The Pioneer offense was clicking in set one despite the 25-21 loss. Malone hit .355 with 14 kills.
Brianne Salinas was a perfect 5-for-5 on her swings resulting in points for the team. A block by
Jaymes Gilbert and
Kassidy Gorsuch tied the set at 17-17 and another block from Gorsuch and
Gianna Cella put the Pioneers in front, 19-18. The final four points of the set went to the home squad that resulted in the loss for Malone.
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Four blocks for the Pioneers in set two did not alter the result as the Saints won that period by the same score of 25-21. The lead changed hands four times and the score tied nine times, but a 72% success rate on sideout opportunities helped propel Thomas More to a 2-0 lead.
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The wheels ultimately fell off the wagon for Malone in the third after ten attack errors and a .391 hitting percentage for the Saints. This led to a 25-12 triumph to end the match in three sets.
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Up next, the Pioneers face Kentucky Wesleyan College on Saturday, October 10 beginning at 11:00 A.M. CST.
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