OWENSBORO, KY - After struggling in the first two sets, the Kentucky Wesleyan Volleyball Team came alive and nearly took it to five, but would end up falling 3-1 (17-25, 9-25, 25-22, 24-26) to Malone. 

The Pioneers improve to 3-9 (1-2 G-MAC), while the Panthers drop to 2-10 (1-3 G-MAC).

Kentucky Wesleyan struggled early on, being outscored 50-26 in the first two sets alone. With an energetic crowd behind them, the Panthers, down 21-12 in the third set, clawed their way back. Starting with a service error from the Pioneers, Wesleyan went on a 9-0 run, capped off by a kill by Hallie McGuire, to tie the game at 21-21. Malone quieted the crowd with a kill, but kills from Mariah Jones, Camila Sandoval, and Ava Rebarchik allowed the Panthers to nab the set. 

Unlike the first three sets, the fourth set was a back-and-forth affair. Malone led the close match most of the way, but a late 5-0 run from the Panthers gave them a 20-19 lead. Kills by McGuire and Nicole Hughes push the Panther lead up to 23-22, forcing a Malone timeout. The Pioneers take advantage of the break, scoring four of the next five points to take the set 26-24, and win the match.

Hallie McGuire (13), Nicole Hughes (10), and Claire Lange (10) all reached double digit kills. Julia Kupper and Camila Sandoval each notched 19 assists, while Stella Kelffman led with an impressive 18 digs. Ava Rebarchik and Mariah Jones each grabbed four blocks in the game. 

The Panthers will turn right around tomorrow to take on the Walsh Cavaliers, who are currently the only undefeated team in the G-MAC. Gametime is set for 2 p.m. CT.

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