OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College volleyball dropped a thrilling five set match to Malone University on Saturday afternoon. The back-and-forth tilt swung the way of the Pioneers late in the fourth set despite 12 kills form the Panthers'
Julia Moran.
The Pioneers (7-4, 2-1 G-MAC) won the first six points of the opening set and held back a late charge form the Panthers (5-6, 1-2 G-MAC) to take a 1-0 lead. Wesleyan trailed 7-2 in the second set and came storming back into the match.
The Panthers won nine of the next 10 points to flip the script and take a 11-8 lead. Long rallies followed throughout while Wesleyan extended its lead to square the match after a 25-20 victory.
Courtney Gildea and
Lydia Jackson interchange at setter in the third and for the rest of the match as the Panthers' offense was sparked. Tied at 10, Wesleyan won 10 of 12 points, including four kills from
Nilah Roy.
Wesleyan won the third set 25-18, but a 22-18 lead vanished in the fourth as the excitement spilled onto Ray Harper Court. Malone tied the set at 23 and battled through extensive rallies to even the match after a 27-25 win.
The decisive set went to the Pioneers after taking an 8-6 lead midway through the Panthers won three points late to cut to 12-9. The Pioneers ended the battle with their fifth ace of the match.
Sierra Morrow added 10 kills and seven blocks to go along with Moran's team best 12. Gildea finished with 23 assists while Jackson added 16 in limited action.
Nicole Venema recorded 23 digs.
Stay up to date on all your Panther news by following @KWCpanthers on Twitter and by liking the "Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics" Facebook page.
