Huron’s Taylor Slauterback had 10 kills, helping lead the Malone University volleyball team to a NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) East Region Championship on Saturday afternoon at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University after posting victories over Robert Wesleyan (NY) College and Geneva (PA) College.

The Pioneers, seeded first among the six-team tournament field, opened the day with a 25-21, 25-19, 25-20 semifinal-round triumph over second-seeded Roberts Wesleyan. Malone then came out on top of a back-and-forth championship game with third-seeded Geneva, pulling out the win in five sets by scores of 15-25, 25-19, 25-16, 23-25, and 15-8.

By securing the NCCAA East Region Title, Malone earned an automatic bid to the 2011 NCCAA National Tournament which is slated to be held December 1-3 in Kissimmee, Florida. The Pioneers, now 25-9 overall, captured their only other East Region Championship in 2000.

swalker@MorningJournal.com