Box Score 1 | Box Score 2  

The Malone University volleyball team secured a spot in the semifinal round of the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) East Region Tournament by pocketing a pair of pool-play victories on its home court Friday evening.

The Pioneers, seeded second among the tournament's six teams, opened postseason competition at Osborne Hall on Friday afternoon with a 25-13, 25-19, 30-28 triumph over the event's No. 6 seed, Houghton (NY) College.  Malone then wrapped up the opening day of the tournament with a 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 win over third-seeded Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College.

With the pair of victories, the Pioneers secured a first-place finish in Pool B, earning a quarterfinal-round bye.  Malone, now 20-10 overall, will play its semifinal round match at noon on Saturday against the winner of the 10:00 a.m. quarterfinal match between Houghton and fourth-seeded Geneva (PA) College. 

The other 10:00 a.m. quarterfinal match will feature Roberts Wesleyan and fifth-seeded Nyack (NY) College.  The winner of the Nyack-Roberts Wesleyan contest will move on to face top-seeded Mt. Vernon Nazarene University in the second semifinal match, also at noon.  Like Malone, MVNU posted two victories on Friday, earning a first-place finish in Pool A.

The NCCAA East Region Final will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday with the Champion receiving an automatic bid to the NCCAA National Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida Nov. 29-Dec. 1

To view all of Friday's results and a complete schedule for Saturday, please visit the NCCAA East Region Tournament webpage at http://www.malonepioneers.com/sports/2012/11/7/VB_1107125319.aspx?path=wvball

Right-side hitter Diana Wallace registered 10 kills to lead the way for the Pioneers in Friday's opener against Houghton.  Middle hitters Hannah Haver and Lauren Townley each added nine kills with Townley also serving up three aces.  Outside hitters Anna Hays and Taylor Slauterbeck tallied eight kills apiece while outside hitter Elizabeth Maczuzak posted six kills and four blocks (one solo).  Setter Jackie Schwamberger recorded 23 assists in the victory while libero Katie Hasebein posted a team-high seven digs.

Against Roberts Wesleyan, Hays paced the Malone attack with 11 kills.  Townley posted six kills, six digs and two blocks (one solo).  Wallace tallied five kills and four solo blocks while Haver registered five kills, one solo block and a pair of aces.  Schwamberger dished out 28 assists while Hasebein racked up a match-high 17 digs.