MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College volleyball team was in action Friday (Oct. 26) evening as they hosted Hiram College in Ban Johnson Arena.  The Pioneers were defeated by the Terriers, 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-14).  

The first set saw Hiram grab a 4-1 edge, before Marietta responded to take 7-5 lead, behind a kill from Grace Haas (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta) and a service ace from Abbi Thompson (Commercial Point, Ohio/Teays Valley).  The Terriers were able to battle back and grab a 14-12 advantage, which forced a Pioneers timeout.  Out of the timeout, Marietta opened a 6-1 run that saw them take a 17-15 edge.  The run was sparked by back to back kills from Alissa Ginther (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye).  Hiram responded to take the lead, and won the first set 25-21.  

The Terriers jumped out to 4-0 lead to open the second set, but the Pioneers responded to tie the game at 5-5.  Marietta was led by a pair of services aces from Hunter Barnes (Duncan Falls, Ohio/Philo), and a kill from Amanda Arrowood (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Groveport Madison).  The second set remained tight as it remained tied at 12 points apiece.  Hiram was able to extend a lead, and won the second set 25-21.  

The third set saw the Terriers take a 13-3 edge to open the third set, which forced a Pioneers timeout.  Marietta battled for the remainder of the third and final set, but fell 25-14.  

The Pioneers offense was led by Sam Ritenour (Jeffersonville, Ohio/Miami Trace) as she had seven kills and four block assists in the match.  Ginther pitched in with seven kills and a block assist for the Marietta offense.  

Defensively, the Pioneers were led by April Davis (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora) as she had a game high 19 digs in the match.  Braya Elsea (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm) pitched in on defense with 12 digs in the match.       

Marietta will return to the court Saturday (Oct. 27) when they wrap up their regular season against Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opponent Baldwin Wallace University.  

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.