by CANTON, Ohio – The Malone Pioneers hosted the second day of the Hall of Fame City Challenge live from Osborne Hall on the campus of Malone University. Each of the same five teams competed in the all-day conference crossover event. These five collegiate volleyball programs competed against each other on Hal Smith Court throughout the day on Saturday, September 13th.
Game 1: Pioneers Earn First Win Defeating Big Blue 3-1
The first game on day 2 of the Hall of Fame City Challenge featured the Malone Pioneers (0-6) versus the Bluefield State Big Blue (1-6). The Big Blue jumped out to an early start in the match claiming the first set 25-19 over the Pioneers. Malone did however storm back and win the second set in convincing fashion 25-14. After tying the match, the Pioneers were able to maintain their momentum, winning the third set once again convincingly 25-17. The fourth and final set was truly a fight as both teams battled with the Pioneers able to get the edge 26-24 and the match 3-1 over the Big Blue. In the win, the Pioneers grab their first win of the season improving to 1-7 as the Big Blue fall to 1-6.
Game 2: Prairie Stars With the Clean Sweep of the Rock 3-0
The second match featured the Slippery Rock University Rock (3-3) against the University of Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars (4-1). The Prairie Stars started the set out strong and finished it strong as they took the set 25-16. The Rock continued to struggle to score in the second set as the Prairie Stars took the second set 25-17. Despite the Rock fighting to claim one set in the match, the Prairie Stars were able to hang on to win the third set 25-23 and sweep the match 3-0. In the win, the UIS improved to 5-1 and Slippery Rock fell to 3-4.
Game 3: Bloomsburg Defeat Malone in Four Sets 3-1
The third match featured the Bloomsburg Huskies (3-3) against the Malone Pioneers (1-6). The Pioneers looked to keep the momentum going after their first win of the season as the Huskies looked to get above 50.0 with a win. The first set was a close battle, seeing the Pioneers steal the set 25-17 going up 1-0. The second and third set were completely dominated by the Huskies as they won the third set 25-13 and fourth set 25-18, winning the match 3-1. In the win, the Huskies improve to 4-3 and drop the Pioneers to 1-7.
Game 4: Prairie Stars Outlast Big Blue 3-1
The fourth game featured the Bluefield State Big Blue (1-7) versus the University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars (5-1). The first set was great as both teams battled and the Big Blue were able to take the 1-0 lead winning 25-23. The Big Blue were unfortunately not able to keep the momentum going as they would drop the second set 25-12 relinquishing the early lead tying it at 1-1. The third set was similar to the second as the Prairie Stars were able to claim it 25-16. The fourth and final set was closer than the last two, but University of Illinois-Springfield was able to win it 25-18 winning the match 3-1. In the win, the Prairie Stars improved to 6-1 on the season, dropping the Big Blue to 1-8 on the year.
Game 5: Huskies Hold Off the Rock Comeback Effort win in Five 3-2
In our fifth and final game of the event, it was the Slippery Rock University Rock (3-4) against the Bloomsburg Huskies (4-3). These two PSAC schools would bring all the action as the match went to an exciting five sets. The first set was very close with the Huskies getting the slight advantage winning 25-21 going up 1-0. The second set belonged to the Huskies as well 25-17 as they were able to take the commanding 2-0 lead. Then the story flipped completely in the third set as the Rock were able to storm back and take the set 25-19 making it 2-1. Bloomsburg, with a chance to close out the match, could not do it as they relinquished their strong 2-0 lead allowing Slippery Rock to claim the fourth set 25-15. The most exciting match, coming late, came down to the final possession for both teams. Slippery Rock was able to jump out in front to begin the fifth, but Bloomsburg stemmed the tide and came back to win the tight set 15-12, winning the exciting match 3-2. The Huskies improved to 5-3 in the win dropping the Rock to 3-5 on the year.
In conclusion of the Hall of Fame City Challenge, we saw all five teams battle and give it their all on each set and serve. Our Day 1 recap can be viewed at
https://keeonsports.com/day-1-malone-university-2025-hall-of-fame-city-challenge-volleyball/
The full results and stats are available on the Malone Pioneers Athletics website under Volleyball and Hall of Fame City Challenge!
