NEW CONCORD, Ohio - The Marietta College volleyball team ended its 2019 campaign with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-18) loss at 11th ranked Muskingum University, in the quarterfinals of the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament on Tuesday (Nov. 5) evening. The Pioneers finish the season with an overall record of 14-16, and the Fighting Muskies improve to 26-2 on the season.
The first set opened as a back and forth battle, as the set remained deadlocked at nine points apiece. The early Marietta offense was a well-rounded attack, with kills from
Alissa Ginther (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye),
Hailey Fuller (Newark, Ohio/Granville),
Brooke Trimble (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay),
Maris Kaiser (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy),
Maddie Nader (Vermilion, Ohio/Vermilion), and
Sam Ritenour (Jeffersonville, Ohio/Miami Trace). Muskingum rattled off four quick points and notched a 13-9 edge. The Pioneers battled to trim the Fighting Muskies lead to 19-17, but Muskingum won the first set 25-20.
The Fighting Muskies carried their momentum over to the second set as they lead 5-1 early. Marietta trimmed the advantage to 5-3 with back to back points, including a kill from Ginther. Muskingum was able to stretch out a lead through the middle of the second set and led 16-5, which forced a Pioneers timeout. Out of the timeout Marietta scored six of the next eight points, highlighted by a block from Nader and Ritenour, to make the score 18-11. The Fighting Muskies held on to win the second set, 25-16.
Muskingum opened the third frame strong as they led 10-4 early in the set. The early Pioneers points were scored by kills from Ginther and Kaiser. The Fighting Muskies rattled off four consecutive points to take a 14-4 edge. Marietta tried to mount numerous rallies in the third set but Muskingum halted them quickly. The Fight Muskies won the final frame, 25-18.
The Pioneers were led by Ginther as she notched 11 kills, and a block assist in the match.
Makayla Schilling (Blacklick, Ohio/Licking Heights) led the defense with 13 digs in the match. Fuller played a well-rounded game as she had six kills, five digs, and three total blocks in the game. Trimble had a game high in total blocks with five.
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.
