PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The Marietta College volleyball team opened the La Roche College Tournament with a pair of victories on Friday (Sept. 4) evening to improve to 3-0 on the young season. The Pioneers defeated Bethany (W.Va.) College 3-1 (25-16, 16-25, 25-17, 25-16) in the first match and then topped Penn State University-Beaver (Pa.) 3-0 (25-15, 25-7, 25-14) in the second match.

Freshman outside hitter/defensive specialist Jen Braun (Chagrin Falls, Kenston) had the performance of the night, as she set a school record with 13 service aces against Penn State-Beaver. Braun, who added eight digs, broke the previous record of eight service aces in a three-game match, which was set on three different occasions.

Freshman right side hitter Alex VanGundy (Powell, Olentangy Liberty) led the way with eight kills against Penn State-Beaver, while sophomore outside hitter Elizabeth Robbe (Crystal Falls, Mich., Forest Park) added five kills and two total blocks in the victory.

Earlier in the day, Marietta collected 13 total blocks in the win over Bethany. Sophomore right side hitter Meredith Storey (Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Falls) paced the team with nine total blocks, while freshman middle blockers Sarah Campbell (Twinsburg, Twinsburg) and Alexa Baudo (Mentor, Mayfield) both contributed eight total blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Alex Weissling (Dublin, Dublin Scioto) finished with a team-best 10 kills to go along with 12 digs, two service aces and two total blocks, while Storey added eight kills and Campbell had six.

Senior libero Becca Holzworth (North Olmsted, North Olmsted) anchored the defense against Bethany with 23 digs while also contributing three service aces. Braun added to the offense with two service aces, while freshman setter Ally Jenkins (Twinsburg, Walsh Jesuit) dished out 33 assists and finished with three total blocks of her own.

Marietta is back in action when they conclude the La Roche Tournament with matches against Franciscan at 12 p.m. and then an opponent yet to be determined at either 1 or 2 p.m.