Aug. 29 (Wed.) - Men's Soccer at Ashland University; 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 31 (Fri.) - Women's Soccer at Ashland University; 2:00 p.m.
                      - Men's and Women's Cross Country at Kent State University Invitational; 4:45 p.m.

Aug. 31-Sept. 1 (Fri.-Sat.) - Volleyball at Cornerstone (MI) University Classic

Sept. 1 (Sat.) - Football at Trinity International (IL) University; 1:00 p.m. (CDT)
                              (RADIO - WNPQ 95.9 FM)

Last Week at a Glance

Volleyball    - Malone defeats:
                             * Urbana University  30-28, 30-25, 30-17
                      Malone loses to:
                             * Indiana Wesleyan University  17-30, 20-30, 15-30 
                             * Ohio Dominican University  27-30, 25-30, 20-30   
                             * Freed-Hardeman (TN) University  21-30, 21-30, 22-30
                      CURRENT RECORD:  1-3  (0-0 AMC North)
                             * - Malone College Invitational

Volleyball Begins Season By Hosting Malone Invitational

     The Malone College volleyball team, under the direction of ninth-year head coach Tanya Hockman, opened its 2007 campaign this past weekend by posting a 1-3 record in four matches at its own tournament, the Malone Invitational.  Also participating in the twelve-match, two-day event was Freed-Hardeman (TN) University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Ohio Dominican University, West Liberty State (WV) University and Urbana University. 
     On Friday, the Pioneers opened competition with a 17-30, 20-30, 15-30 loss to Indiana Wesleyan before falling to Ohio Dominican later in the evening 27-30, 25-30, 20-30.  On Saturday, Malone was upended by Freed-Hardeman 21-30, 21-30, 22-30 but then bounced back to record its first victory of the year, a 30-28, 30-25, 30-17 win over Urbana.  Indiana Wesleyan took the tournament championship after posting a 4-0 record at the event while Freed-Hardeman finished runner-up after also tallying a 4-0 mark over the two days competition.  Ohio Dominican ended up with a 2-2 record, West Liberty State finished 1-3 while Urbana compiled an 0-4 mark.
     In Friday’s opener against Indiana Wesleyan, the Pioneers were led by freshmen newcomers Jen Gahagan (Ravenna Southeast H.S.) and Lori Ickes (Smithville H.S.).  Gahagan posted six kills, eight digs, and three blocks (two solo) in her first collegiate contest while Ickes also recorded six kills and led the squad with 11 digs.  Junior Kristi Buen (Kidron Central Christian H.S.) added 10 digs and sophomore Alyssa Dibell dished out 13 assists, but it was not enough as IWU took the contest in three straight games.
     Against Ohio Dominican on Friday, Gahagan drilled 11 kills with seven digs and three service aces.  Ickes recorded nine kills, two service aces  and once again paced the squad in digs with 16.  Dibell contributed 37 assists and 13 digs while sophomore Kristen Schoolcraft (McKinley H.S.) added six kills and two blocks in the 3-0 loss.
     Against Freed-Hardeman on Saturday, sophomore Erica Gann (Meadowbrook H.S.) paced the squad with 11 kills.  Schoolcraft followed with eight kills while Dibell tallied 22 assists and 18 digs.  Despite the 3-0 loss, Gahagan and Ickes’ strong play continued as Gahagan recorded five kills and 10 digs and Ickes posted four kills, nine digs and three service aces.
     In Saturday’s win over Urbana, Ickes smacked 15 kills while freshman Emily Beiting (Fort Thomas, KY) delivered 10 kills.  Gahagan contributed seven kills, 11 digs, and three service aces, Gann posted six kills and three blocks (one solo), and Dibell dished out 38 assists.
     This week, Malone (1-3) will compete at the Cornerstone (MI) University Classic on Friday and Saturday.