WOOSTER, Ohio – The Marietta College volleyball team was in action today as they wrapped up their competition at the Ginny Hunt Kilt Classic on the campus of the College of Wooster.
The Pioneers dropped the first match of the day to Westminster College, 3-1 (25-18, 26-24, 25-9, 25-22). Marietta fell in their final match of the day against Adrian College, 3-2 (25-23, 25-20, 25-15, 25-20, 15-11)
The opening set of the day saw Marietta grab a 4-0 edge behind a pair of service aces from
Maddie Nader (Vermilion, Ohio/Vermilion). The Pioneers continued to play well and stretched their lead to 10-3 behind kills from
Sam Ritenour (Jeffersonville, Ohio/Miami Trace), and
Alissa Ginther (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye). Marietta maintained their advantage and won the first set, 25-18.
The Pioneers jumped out to an early 4-1 second set advantage, behind kills from
Hunter Barnes (Duncan Falls, Ohio/Philo) and
Brooke Trimble (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay). Marietta stretched out an 11-3 edge, which forced a Westminster timeout. Out of the timeout, Westminster responded to tie the set at 22-22, and went on to win the second set, 26-24.
In the third set, Westminster jumped out to a 4-1 lead, and maintained their lead through the entire set, to win 25-9.
The Pioneers bounced back in the fourth set as they were able to grab a 9-5 edge to open the frame. The early lead was powered by Ritenour as she had two kills. Westminster was able to battle back and tie the fourth set at 18-18 and went on to win the final frame, 25-22.
The second match of the day started as Marietta took a 6-3 lead in the first set, behind a pair of kills from Barnes. The first set remained close, but Adrian was able to win the set, 25-23.
The second set began as a back and forth battle as the match was tied eight different times, and remained deadlocked at 13 points apiece. After a timeout, the Pioneers went on a 7-0 run that saw them take a 21-17 edge. The run was sparked by kills from Barnes, Ritenour, and
Amanda Arrowood (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Groveport Madison). Marietta closed out the second set, and won 25-20.
The Pioneers carried their momentum over to the third set as they jumped out to a 12-5 advantage. The quick start was propelled by Ritenour as she had a pair of kills. The Pioneers continued to pull away, and won the third set 25-15.
Marietta grabbed an early 6-3 lead in the fourth set, behind a service ace from Nader. Adrian rallied to take a 17-16 lead, and went on to win the fourth set, 25-20.
The fifth and final set started off as a tight battle as the match was tied five separate times, and was deadlocked at seven points apiece. Adrian College rattled off four straight points and went on to win the decisive fifth set, 15-11.
The Pioneers were led by Ritenour as she was named to the Ginny Hunt Kilt Classic All-Tournament team. She had 20 kills and eight block assists combined in the two matches. Barnes added offensive fire power with 19 kills, and 5 block assists between the two matches. Ginther pitched in with 18 kills, including a team high 12 kills against Westminster.
Defensively, Marietta was led by
April Davis (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora) as she had 45 digs in the two matches combined.
Braya Elsea (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm) pitched in on defense as she had 30 digs between the two matches.
Abbi Thompson (Commercial Point, Ohio/Teays Valley) added 28 digs, and two service aces. Nader led the Pioneers in assists with 48, and service aces with 6 in the two matches.
Marietta will return to the court Friday (Sep. 21) when they travel to compete in the Carnegie Mellon Invitational.
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.
