MARIETTA, Ohio — Keyed by the return of six letterwinners and four starters, the young Marietta College volleyball team looks to continue its improvement as a program in 2010.
 
“Having made a great deal of progress on the court last year, it is exciting to be returning so many talented players,” fourth-year Head Coach Ray Costa said. “I think we have a nice group of incoming student-athletes that will complement our returners and allow us to once again show significant development as a program during the Ohio Athletic Conference schedule.”

The junior duo of right side hitter Meredith Storey (Olmsted Falls/Olmsted Falls) and outside hitter Alex Weissling (Dublin/Dublin Scioto) are looking to build off two productive seasons and provide leadership on the court. Storey and Weissling combined for 478 kills and 86 total blocks, while Weissling also collected a team-best 45 service aces in 2009.

Four sophomores—defensive specialist Jen Braun (Chagrin Falls/Kenston), middle blocker Sarah Campbell (Twinsburg/Twinsburg), setter Ally Jenkins (Twinsburg/Walsh Jesuit) and right side hitter Alex VanGundy (Powell/Olentangy Liberty)—received valuable experience last year and are primed to make big contributions again this fall. Jenkins ran the offense and finished with 966 assists, Campbell paced the team's net defense with 93 total blocks, while Braun ranked second on the back line with 259 digs.

The team has once again set high expectations on the court, in the classroom and out in the community, all key aspects of the Marietta volleyball experience.

Marietta will begin the season against visiting Carnegie Mellon (Pa.) on Sept. 1. Its annual River City Tournament will follow Sept. 3-4. The Pioneers will also compete in tournaments at Frostburg State Sept. 10-11 and DePauw Sept. 17-18. The team's OAC opener is slated for Sept. 24 against John Carroll as part of the Pioneer Classic. For a complete schedule click HERE.