COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Marietta College volleyball team was in action Tuesday (Oct. 9) evening as they defeated Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opponent Capital University, 3-2. (25-12, 20-25, 20-25, 25-21, 17-15).   

After the Crusaders grabbed the first point of the game, the Pioneers answered back with four straight points, behind kills from Alissa Ginther (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye), Abbi Thompson (Commercial Point, Ohio/Teays Valley), and Hunter Barnes (Duncan Falls, Ohio/Philo).  Marietta extended its lead to 8-3 which forced a Capital timeout.  Out of the timeout, the Pioneers took control, and notched a 21-12 lead, with kills from Amanda Arrowood (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Groveport Madison), and Brooke Trimble (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay).  Marietta won the first set, 25-12.  

The second set saw the Crusaders jump out to an early 9-4 advantage.  Capital was able to maintain its edge, and won the second set 25-20.  

The third set was tied at four points apiece, before the Pioneers went on a 5-0 run to take a 9-4 edge, which forced a Capital timeout.  The run was sparked by a pair of service aces from Trimble.  Out of the timeout, the Crusaders were able to rally and won the third set, 25-20.  

The fourth set started as a back and forth battle as the set was tied eight times, and remained deadlocked at 12-12.  Marietta was able to gain a 19-15 edge, behind kills from Barnes and Trimble.  The Pioneers capped off the fourth set with a kill from Barnes, and won the set, 25-21.  

Marietta carried their momentum over to the fifth set, and grabbed a 5-2 edge, which forced a Capital timeout.  The fifth set remained close as the match was tied at 15 points apiece.  The Pioneers scored the final two points of the match, and won the decisive fifth set 17-15.  

Marietta was led by Sam Ritenour (Jeffersonville, Ohio/Miami Trace) as she had nine kills and a game high seven block assists.  Arrowood and Ginther each added seven kills to the Pioneer offense.  The Pioneers had a well rounded attach, as 11 different players all tallied a kill in the match.    

Defensively, Marietta was led by Maddie Nader (Vermilion, Ohio/Vermilion) as she had 17 digs, and a game high 24 assists in the match.  Abbi Thompson (Commercial Point, Ohio/Teays Valley) pitched in on defense as she had 13 digs, and three services aces for the Pioneers.  

Marietta will be back in action Saturday (Oct. 13) when they travel to take on Wilmington College in an OAC match.  

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.