MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College volleyball team overcame a first set loss to post a 3-1 victory over visiting Washington & Jefferson College Tuesday (Sept. 15) night, its first match in front of the home crowd in 2009. The Pioneers, who defeated the Presidents for the second time this season, won 23-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-20. [Box Score]

Marietta (6-3) held a 23-20 lead late in the first set before Washington & Jefferson (5-4) scored five straight points to capture the first set. Set two remained tight until a kill by freshman middle blocker Alexa Baudo (Mentor, Mayfield) put the Pioneers on top 19-18 and ignited a 7-2 rally to even the match at 1-1. Marietta never trailed in the third set and used kill from freshman middle blocker Sarah Campbell (Twinsburg, Twinsburg) to seal the 11-point win. The Pioneers also led the entire way during the fourth set but could not break away until late in the action when a kill by sophomore outside hitter Alex Weissling (Dublin, Dublin Scioto) and two straight hitting errors gave Marietta the four-set victory.

Freshman setter Ally Jenkins (Twinsburg, Walsh Jesuit) dished out 45 assists in the win. Three Pioneer hitters finished with double-digit kills. Freshman outside hitter Amanda Sawicki (Mentor, Lake Catholic) paced the squad with 15 kills, while Weissling contributed 12 and sophomore right side hitter Meredith Storey (Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Falls) finished with 11.

Marietta also finished with 12 service aces, including five from Weissling and three from freshman outside hitter/defensive specialist Jen Braun (Chagrin Falls, Kenston).

Senior libero Becca Holzworth (North Olmsted, North Olmsted), who sits in third place all-time at Marietta with 1,425 career digs, anchored the defense with 20 digs against Washington & Jefferson. Weissling and Braun both pitched in with 12 digs in the win. Marietta's front line also combined for 11 total blocks. Campbell finished with a team-high six blocks assists, while Storey, Baudo and Weissling all had four.

The Pioneers are back in action on Friday (Sept. 18) afternoon when they host the annual River City Volleyball Tournament. Action will begin at 4 p.m. and run through Saturday (Sept. 19) afternoon. Marietta's first match is against Ohio Valley University and slated for 4 p.m. The Pioneers will then take on Carlow University at 7 p.m.