SAN DIEGO --- Biola closed out its final preparation for Golden State Athletic Conference play with a win and a loss on Saturday afternoon at the 2011 Point Loma Nazarene Seaside Classic, beating Embry-Riddle University (Ariz.), but falling to Malone University (Ohio).

The Eagles wrap up a busy pre-conference schedule with a record of 12-4. Biola opened the day with a 25-22, 25-13, 25-11 win over Embry-Riddle, but struggled in the nightcap, falling 25-15, 25-20, 25-23 to Malone.

In the first match, the Eagles got off to a slow start and struggled through the first set. Embry-Riddle kept the score close through much of the set and eventually tied the score at 15-15 just past the midway point. A bit later, a short run gave ERAU its first lead at 22-21. But Biola was able to survive thanks to three hitting errors and a service ace by Gracee Gallarda to pull out the first set 25-22.

The Eagles returned to form the rest of the match, jumping out to a 15-5 lead in the second set and a 13-5 lead in the third as they easily won both.

Christine Douglas had nine kills in the match while Amy Weststeyn added seven kills and seven blocks.

Things did not go well in the final match of the tournament, however, as Malone came out firing and stunned Biola. 

Malone jumped all over the Eagles in the first set, quickly opening up a 16-7 lead and cruised to a 25-15 win. The Pioneers hit .484 in that opening set while the Eagles struggled.

Things didn't go that much better in the second. With the score tied at 14-14, Malone broke things wide open by using a 5-1 run to take control. From there they exchanged points the rest of the way and the Malone was up 2-0.

Biola trailed big early in the third set, falling behind 12-5 and being forced to call two early timeouts. However, after the second, the Eagles came out firing and went on a long 14-2 run including an eight-point run to take a 19-14 lead. However, just as quickly as the Eagles got the lead, it disappeared as the Pioneers used a seven-point run to take the lead right back and held on to win 25-23.

Biola did hit well in the match, posting a .266 attack percentage in the match. However, the Pioneers hit at a .374 clip.

Douglas again led the Eagles with 10 kills while three other Eagles had six kills each.

Biola opens GSAC play on Tuesday, hosting The Master's College at 7:00 p.m.