LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Marietta College volleyball team fell at its tri-match against Ohio Wesleyan and host 22nd ranked Transylvania University on Saturday (Sept 21) afternoon. The Pioneers dropped the first game, 3-1 (13-25, 14-25, 25-18, 22-25), and lost game two, 3-0 (25-9, 25-8, 25-18). With the losses Marietta falls to 10-6 overall.
The first set opened as a back and forth battle, as the match was tied six times and remained deadlocked at 10-10. The Pioneers early attack was led by
Hailey Fuller (Newark, Ohio/Granville),
Sam Ritenour (Jeffersonville, Ohio/Miami Trace), and
Maddie Nader (Vermilion, Ohio/Vermilion) as they each had a kill. Later in the frame the Battling Bishops scored the final nine points of the set, and won 25-13.
Ohio Wesleyan rode its first set momentum to a 4-0 lead to open the second frame. The Battling Bishops continued to play well and extended their lead to 19-6. Marietta battled for the remainder of the set but fell, 25-14.
The Pioneers jumped out to an early 5-0 lead to open the third set, behind a kill from
Alissa Ginther (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye). Ohio Wesleyan responded to cut the Marietta edge to 16-14. The Pioneers rattled off five straight points to gain a 21-14 advantage. The run was highlighted by kills from
Alissa Ginther (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye), and Ritenour with a service ace by MaKayla Schilling. Marietta closed out the set and won, 25-18.
The fourth set opened as a tight battle with the frame tied five times and remained deadlocked at 6-6. Ohio Wesleyan took a 12-7 edge when they scored six of the next seven points. The Pioneers answered back, to tie the game at 16 points apiece behind a kill from
Maris Kaiser (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy). The set remained tied at 22-22 when
Brooke Trimble (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay) notched a kill. The Battling Bishops scored the final three points and won 25-22.
In the second match of the day Transylvania jumped out to a 10-1 lead to open the first set, with a kill by Nader halting the run. Transylvania continued its strong play and won the set, 25-9.
Transylvania carried its momentum over to the second set and gained an 11-3 edge. Marietta fought but fell in the second set, 25-8.
Marietta notched the first point of the third set behind an ace from Nader but Transylvania answered to take an 8-2 advantage. Marietta trimmed the lead to 9-5 with kills from Kaiser and Fuller. Transylvania took control of the final frame and won, 25-18.
The Pioneers offense was led by Ginther as she had 14 total kills between the two matches. Ritenour added to the attack with 12 kills on the day. The Marietta defense was led by
April Davis (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora) as she notched 19 digs, including 11 in the match against Transylvania. Schilling added to the defense with 17 digs between the two games.
The Pioneers will return to the Friday (Sept. 27) when they travel to take on Heidelberg University, to open Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play.
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.
