Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
The Malone University volleyball team, under the direction of head coach Tanya Hockman, opened the 2014 season on Friday by earning a split in two contests on the first of two days of competition at an Indiana University of Pennsylvania tournament.
 
In an early afternoon match, the Pioneers were defeated by Seton Hill University (PA) in four sets, 20-25, 25-21, 16-25, 12-25. But in a late afternoon contest, Malone bounced back to win a three-set match against the University of Charleston (WV) 25-13, 25-15, 25-20.
 
In the opening match against Seton Hill, outside hitters Taylor Slauterbeck and Shelbi Meek led the Pioneer offense with nine and seven kills, respectively.  Setter Lindsay Ulfig tossed up 13 assists in the match and also paced the squad in digs with 10.  In addition, middle hitter Haley Kool registered a team-best five block assists and one block.
 
In the day's finale for Malone, Slauterbeck again pocketed the most kills for the Pioneers as she posted 12 while Meek followed with seven. Setter Jordan Sollars earned 18 assists in the contest while Ulfig added 10 more to the Pioneer cause.  In addition, defensive specialist/libero Katie Hasebein scooped up a team-high 16 digs in the Malone win.
 
The team will be back in action tomorrow (Saturday) for the second and final day of competition at the tournament.  Malone will take on the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown in a 1:00 p.m. match and then face host Indiana (PA) in a 4:00 p.m. contest.