MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College volleyball team completed a perfect 4-0 opening weekend en route to claiming the River City Classic championship. The Pioneer defeated Muhlenberg, Pa. 3-0 (26-24, 25-15, 25-10) and secured the title with a 3-0 win over Kenyon (25-17, 25-23, 25-23). [Muhlenberg Box Score] [Kenyon Box Score] [Photo Gallery]

“I am really pleased with the way we played this weekend. More than just the wins, and the scores, we responded to every challenge we had this weekend, and played aggressively and confidently in each situation,” said head coach Ray Costa. “This weekend we laid a strong foundation for the rest of the year. Now we must refocus, and work to continue improving our technical and tactical skills to be fully prepared for OAC play.”

Sophomore Kathryn Hanssen led the Pioneer attack with 10 kills against Muhlenberg. Fellow classmate Paige DeVriendt (Bowling Green/Bowling Green) added eight kills, while senior Meredith Storey (Olmsted Falls/Olmsted Falls) notched seven. Junior Ally Jenkins (Twinsburg/Walsh Jesuit) and freshman Laura Mauer (Terre Haute, Ind./North) split the setting duties recording 13 and 15 assists, respectively.

In the Kenyon match freshman Natalie Lanham (Charleston, W.Va./George Washington) and DeVriendt paced the Pioneers' offense. Lanham had 10 kills in the match and DeVriendt had nine. Jenkins had a season-high 34 assists.

Junior Jen Braun (Chagrin Falls/Kenston) earned Libero of the Tournament honors after recording 21 digs against Muhlenberg and 25 in the Kenyon match. Braun has 78 digs on the young season, good for 6.0 per set.

Methodist University senior outside hitter Jalesty Washington was named the tournament MVP. All-Tournament honors went to MC's Hanssen, Kayci Miller (Methodist), Ana Maricic (Kenyon), Hannah Shank (Kenyon), and Emma Brann (Olivet).

The Pioneers travel to Pittsburgh, Pa. on Wednesday, September 7th for a 7 p.m. match at Carnegie Mellon University.