MARIETTA, Ohio – No. 13-ranked Otterbein University used a balanced offensive attack to defeat Marietta College by the score of 3-0 Tuesday (Oct. 23) evening in Ohio Athletic Conference volleyball action. The Cardinals improve to 22-7 overall and 7-1 in the OAC. Marietta drops to 16-11 on the season and 4-4 in the OAC.
Five different Cardinals had seven or more kills in the match, as Otterbein stayed in the hunt for the OAC regular season title and the top seed in the upcoming tournament.
Kristen Bennett and Michelle Gernert each had 11 kills. Annie Juenger posted nine kills, while Kim Barker and Liz Palmer added eight and seven, respectively.
The first two sets featured several scoring runs by both teams. Otterbein jumped out to an early 8-3 lead in the first set only to see the Pioneers battle back and tie the set at 9-9. The Cardinals answered with six straight points for a 15-9 lead and went on to win the set 25-20.
Marietta took the early lead in the second set, 3-1. An 11-4 run by the Cardinals put Otterbein ahead 12-7. Following a timeout, the Pioneers came out swinging and climbed back into the set tying the score at 16-16 and again at 17-17. Otterbein scored four of the final points in the set for a 25-21 victory.
Leading two sets to none, the Cardinals finished the match strong. Otterbein was quick off the mark building a 6-1 lead. The Pioneers managed to get within one point, 9-8, but couldn't get any closer as Otterbein went on to close out the match with a 25-20 set win.
Sophomore #
Rachel Hackenberg (Canal Winchester/Franklin Heights)# led the Pioneers with 10 kills and four blocks. Freshman #
Chloe Janson (Lawrenceburg, Ind./East Central)# added seven kills and junior #
Paige DeVriendt (Bowling Green/Bowling Green)# had six.
On senior night, Pioneer senior libero #
Jen Braun (Chagrin Falls/Kenston)# had a team-high 16 digs. Braun's fellow classmate #
Alex VanGundy (Powell/Olentangy Liberty)# notched three kills.
Sophomore setter #
Laura Mauer (Terre Haute, Ind./North)# dished out 28 assists and posted a pair of kills and two blocks. Defensive specialist #
Brittney Merritt (Akron/Copley)# recorded 10 digs and two service aces.
Marietta closes out the regular season Saturday (Oct. 27) with a 12:00 p.m. match at Baldwin Wallace University. The Pioneers will be looking to finish fourth in the OAC standings and earn the right to host a first round tournament match.
Fans can catch the action live at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter.
