PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Marietta College volleyball team was in action as they wrapped up their competition in the Carnegie Mellon Invitational.
The Pioneers were defeated by Bluffton University, 3-0 (26-24, 25-9, 25-14) in the first match of the day. Marietta was defeated by Kean University in their second match of the day, 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-17).
The Pioneers jumped out to a 5-1 advantage early in the first set. The run was sparked by a pair of kills from
Sam Ritenour (Jeffersonville, Ohio/Miami Trace). Marietta stretched their lead to 13-6 to force a Bluffton timeout. Out of the timeout, Bluffton responded to tie the game at 17 points apiece. The Pioneers answered back with four straight points with kills by
Brooke Trimble (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay), Ritenour, and
Alissa Ginther (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye). Bluffton responded to tie the first set, and eventually won the first set 26-24.
Bluffton was able jump out to a 12-5 edge in the second set. Bluffton rode their early set momentum to a 25-9 second set win.
Bluffton carried their momentum over to the third set as they grabbed a 12-5 edge. The Pioneers battled for the remainder of the match, but they fell, 25-14.
In the second match of the day the Pioneers jumped out to a 7-2 edge in the first set. Marietta was sparked by kills from Ginther,
Hunter Barnes (Duncan Falls, Ohio/Philo), and
Maris Kaiser (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy). Kean battled back and tied the match at 10 points apiece. Kean was able to take the lead, and won the first set, 25-18.
The Pioneers jumped out to a 4-1 edge early in the second set, behind a kill from Kaiser. Kean answered to tie the game at 6-6. Kean was able to extend their lead and won the second set, 25-17.
Kean grabbed a 4-1 advantage, but Marietta rallied to tie the game nine points apiece. The Pioneers were propelled by a pair of kills from Barnes. Kean was able to regain their lead and won the third set, 25-17.
Marietta was led by Ritenour as she had 15 kills between the two matches, including a team high eight kills against Bluffton. Ginther added 12 kills on the day as well as a pair of block assists.
Defensively the Pioneers were led by
April Davis (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora), she had 24 digs in the two matches, including a game high 13 digs against Kean University.
Brooke Trimble (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay) pitched in defensively with a team leading 5 block assists.
Maddie Nader (Vermilion, Ohio/Vermilion) led the Pioneers in assists with 21 in the two matches.
Fans can follow all 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.
