Malone University Athletics

CALIFORNIA, Pa. - In non-conference action on Tuesday evening, the Malone University volleyball team fell to California University of Pennsylvania in straight sets. The Pioneers are now 3-9 overall this season and the Vulcans improve to 6-7.
 
The home squad pulled away to a 25-13 set one win behind 15 kills and just two errors. Malone had 10 kills on only 33 attack attempts, but it was not enough to keep pace with California. The Vulcans were an impressive 84% on sideout opportunities.
 
Set two was neck-and-neck throughout, however it was once again the home team coming out on top, 25-23. The score was tied 14 times and lead changed six times, but three straight points to end the period for California won them the second set. Arianna Buckley was a standout offensively, especially in the closing points. Buckley and Marissa Smith had four kills apiece in the second.
 
The Pioneers were all over their opponents in set three and jumped out to an 8-0 advantage. Jaymes Gilbert had two kills and Kassidy Gorsuch one with both of them combined for a block as well in that stretch. The pesky Vulcans would not go away and creeped their way back to even at 13-13. A timeout from Head Coach Lauren Allaway could not turn the momentum back in Malone's favor. Once they had the lead, California did not give it back and ended up with a 25-22 set win to complete the sweep.
 
The Vulcans were efficient on attacks with a .274 hitting percentage compared to .153 for the Pioneers. California had more kills at 47-38 and slightly more digs at 53-47. Smith was the lone Malone student-athlete in double figures offensively with 11 kills. Helaina Edgar recorded 23 of the 37 assists for the team. Defensively, Madalyn Coblentz and Jaclyn Jundzilo dug up 11 opposing attacks.
 
The Pioneers return to Osborne Hall for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) match versus Ursuline College on Friday, September 25. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 P.M.