WILMINGTON, Ohio – The Marietta College volleyball team was in action Saturday (Oct. 13) afternoon as they defeated Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opponent Wilmington College, 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 25-15).  The Pioneers also battled Ohio University-Chillicothe, as Marietta swept OU-Chillicothe, 3-0 (25-7, 25-17, 25-22).    

In the opening match of the day, the Pioneers jumped out to an early 10-5 lead in the first set, behind kills from Sam Ritenour (Jeffersonville, Ohio/Miami Trace), Hunter Barnes (Duncan Falls, Ohio/Philo), and Amanda Arrowood (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Groveport Madison).  Marietta continued their strong play and won the first set, 25-23.  

The second set was a back and forth battle, as the game was tied six different times, and remained deadlocked at six points apiece.  The Pioneers were able to take a 12-8 edge behind kills from Alissa Ginther (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye) and Arrowood.  Marietta pulled away through the middle of the second set with three consecutive service aces by Ritenour.  The Pioneers won the second set, 25-15.  

The third set was a hard fought battle as the set remained tied at six points apiece.  Marietta opened up a 7-1 run that saw them grab a 13-7 edge.  The run was sparked by a pair of kills from Arrowood and a service ace from April Davis (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora).  The Pioneers finished the third and final set strong and won, 25-15.  

Marietta opened its second match of the day on a 9-3 run to force a timeout.  The run was sparked by kills from Arrowood, Barnes, and Ritenour.  Out of the timeout, the Pioneers continued to pull away and won the first set, 25-7.  

The second set started as a back and forth battle, as the match was tied six times and remained deadlocked at eight points apiece.  Marietta was able to pull away in the middle of the second set with kills from Barnes, Grace Haas (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta), and Ginther.  The Pioneers maintained their lead and won 25-17.  

OU-Chillicothe jumped out to a 4-0 edge to open the third set, but Marietta responded to tie the game at 9-9.  The Pioneers continued their momentum and grabbed a 19-13 edge, behind kills from Arrowood, Ginther, and Maddie Nader (Vermilion, Ohio/Vermilion).  Marietta won the third and final set, 25-22.   

The Pioneers offense was led by Barnes as she had 26 kills and six block assists in the two matches.  Ritenour added 14 kills and five block assists to the offense.  Ginther pitched in on offense with 12 kills and a block assist between the two matches.  

Marietta's defense was led by Davis as she had 35 digs combined in the two matches, including a game high 16 digs against Wilmington.  Braya Elsea (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm) added 19 digs, and had two service aces in the two matches.  Nader led the way with 68 assists in two matches, including a game high 35 assists against OU-Chillicothe.    

Marietta will return to the court Tuesday (Oct. 16) when they host OAC opponent Mount Union with the match set to begin at 7 p.m.

Fans can follow all of the Pioneer teams all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.