(NORTH CANTON, Ohio) – Walsh came out on fire against rival Malone, but eventually fell to its southern neighbor in four sets at Alumni Arena Tuesday evening. The Cavalier (4-9, 0-5) picked up the first set 25-15, but the Pioneers (5-10, 1-4) won the next three 25-19, 25-23, 25-23.

The Cavs and Pioneers played close in the intial set until a 6-0 run gave Walsh all the momentum with an 18-10 lead thanks to an ace by Paolo Ferrario and kills from Liza Pflugradt and Gina Kramer. The teams split the next 10 points as Walsh found itself up 1-0.

Malone was quick to rebound as it went up 5-1 in the second set. Still, Walsh was able to get back in the game with an 8-1 run. The Cavs eventually saw themselves up 16-12, but couldn't keep the momentum as Malone scored seven of the next eight points and never trailed again enroute to the six-point win.

The third and fourth were very similar in heartbreaking fashion for the Cavaliers. Both teams battled point-for-point throughout and eventually landed at a 23-23 stalemate in both sets. Malone was able to pick up the final two points in both sets to earn the match.

Pflugradt had a strong game for the Cavaliers as she finished with 13 kills on the night. Olivia Zanolli added 34 assists. Kaitlin Bronikowski added 20 digs on the back line defensively, while the front line was led by Pflugradt, Janelle Yunker, and Emily Arnold with two blocks each.

Malone's middles were a force in the match as the Pioneers' defense put up 18 block assists. Haley Kool, Elizabeth Maczuzak and Veronica Gehring all had five.

The Cavaliers are back on the road for the next three weeks. They'll return to action this Friday in their first trip to Michigan to take on Saginaw Valley. The match is set to start at 7 p.m.