Box Score

CANTON, Ohio -- The Wayne State University volleyball team's (9-17, 6-9) comeback attempt fell short at Malone (12-14, 7-8) on Friday night. The Warriors overcame a 2-0 deficit to force a fifth-set tiebreaker but the Pioneers won the race to 15, 15-6. Malone took set one 25-18 and set two 25-13. WSU answered with 25-12 and 25-19 victories.

Kristen Bulkiewicz (LaSalle, Ont. / Sandwich) posted her 13th double-double of the season and 34th of her career with 23 kills and 12 digs. The 23 kills matches a season-high and she now has 1,289 career kills, moving her into third place in program history. She surpasses Renee Bialke (1993-97).

Malone and Wayne State were tied at 4-4 to begin set one. That would be the only tie as the Pioneers would lead the rest of the way on their way to a 25-18 victory. A kill from Essence Jackson-Jones (Muskegon, Mich.) cut MU's lead to 21-19 to cap a late 5-0 run but Malone regained control and took the final three points.

A Pioneer attack error tied set number two at 8-8. A Bulkiewicz kill ended a 5-0 Warrior run to give WSU a 14-10 advantage. The Green & Gold led until 20-19 but the Pioneers took six of the last eight points to steal the set 25-23.

WSU absolutely dominated in the third set, avoiding the sweep with a 25-12 win. The Warriors opened the set on a 13-3 run. Malone was forced to use both of its timeouts during the rally. Jamie Goryca (Clarkston, Mich.) subbed in to serve and led WSU on a 5-0 run to push WSU's lead to 21-9. Heather Weiss (Fort Gratiot, Mich. / Port Huron) closed the set with a kill to give WSU a 25-12 victory.

With their focus on forcing a fifth set, the Warriors led 9-8 to open the fourth set. A Pioneer ballhandling error kept WSU's lead at one, 13-12. Wayne State eventually extended its lead to 20-14 and would control the rest of the set to win 25-18.

In the tiebreaking set, Malone regained its early form and led 9-3 to open the set. MU would win easily, 15-6, and take the match 3-2.

Weiss connected for 10 kills while Reeves dished out 44 assists. Carlee Hunt (Waterford, Mich. / Walled Lake Northern) led the defense with 21 digs. Jessica DeLeeuw (Harrison Twp., Mich. / L'Anse Creuse) collected 12 digs while Goryca was able to post a 10-dig performance. WSU outhit Malone .248 to .199.

The Warriors will stay in the area and play at Walsh at 2 PM on Saturday afternoon.