MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College volleyball team earned a sweep of the University of Mount Union on Tuesday (March 30) evening inside Ban Johnson Arena. The Pioneers took game one, 3-2 (27-25, 20-25, 25-11, 18-25, 15-8) and took game two 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 27-25, 25-16).
Head Coach
Kristy Newman said, "I'm extremely proud of the complete team effort and all-around energy. We stayed very disciplined and gritty the entire match!"
The first set was close early and remained deadlocked at 3-3. Marietta took a 9-4 lead when they scored six of the next seven points and forced a Mount Union timeout. The run was highlighted by three kills from
Becca Phelps (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison Comprehensive). The Pioneers continued to play well with an ace from
Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) and a kill from
Maris Kaiser (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) to lead, 11-4. The Purple Raiders battled back to tie the game at 13-13. The set stayed tight, and was tied at 21-21. The set remained deadlocked at 25 points apiece, Marietta ended the first set with back to back points to win 27-25. The final points came from kills by Fellers, and Phelps.
Mount Union grabbed an early second set lead, as they led 4-0. The Pioneers battled back to tie the set at eight points apiece, with kills by
Sam Ritenour (Jeffersonville, Ohio/Miami Trace), Kaiser, and an ace from Fellers. The set stayed close through the middle of the set, and the teams were tied at 17-17. The Purple Raiders scored five of the next six points to lead, 22-18 and won set two 25-20.
After Mount Union scored the first point of the third set, Marietta rattled off seven straight points, to lead 7-1. The run saw kills from Ritenour,
Hailey Fuller (Newark, Ohio/Granville), Fellers, and an ace from
April Davis (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora). The Pioneers continued their strong third set play, and led 18-7. Marietta scored seven of the final 10 points to win the third set 25-11, with Fellers driving home the final kill.
The fourth set was a back and forth battle, as the set was tied eight times and remained deadlocked at 12 points apiece. The Pioneers were able to grab a 16-13, but the Purple Raiders scored nine of the next 10 points to lead 22-17. Mount Union closed out the fourth set, and won 25-18.
Marietta opened the five and final set with four kills from Kaiser, Ritenour, and Fellers, to lead 4-0. The Purple Raiders trimmed the Pioneers advantage to 9-7, but Marietta scored six of the final seven points to win the final frame, 15-8. The run was sparked by kills from Phelps, Ritenour, and an ace from
Braya Elsea (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm).
The game one offense was led by Ritenour, she had a game high 22 kills, and five block assists. Fellers tallied 15 kills, four block assists, and five aces. Defensively Elsea and Davis led the way, they duo had 26 and 19 digs respectively in the match.
The second match was close early, the first set was tied four times and remained tied at 5-5. Mount Union scored the next four points and led 9-5. After the Purple Raiders led 12-9, the Pioneers rattled the next six points to grab a 15-12 edge. The run was highlighted by Fellers, she had a kill and three straight service aces. Marietta maintained its advantage, and won the first set, 25-19.
The second set was a hard-fought battle. Neither team was able to build a sizable lead, and each team held a four-point lead at different times in the set. The Pioneers tied the game at 23 points apiece behind a kill from Fellers, but Mount Union scored the final two points of the set, and won 25-23.
The Purple Raiders led 10-8 to open the third set. Mount Union continued to hold the lead, and led 20-16. Marietta scored three straight points to trim the Purple Raiders lead to 20-19. The run was highlighted by a kill from Fellers. The Pioneers continued to battle and tied thee set at 24 points apiece. After Mount Union made the score 25-24, Marietta scored the final three points of the set to win, 27-25. The final point of the set came from a service ace from Fellers.
The Purple Raiders opened the fourth set, with a 4-1 edge. The Pioneers scored seven unanswered points to take an 8-4 advantage.
Abbi Thompson (Commercial Point, Ohio/Teays Valley) got the run started with a service ace. Marietta continued its strong play and held an 18-9 edge. The Pioneers never allowed Mount Union back into the set, and won 25-16.
Fellers led the offense in game two, she had 15 kills six block assists, and six service aces. Ritenour tallied 13 kills and six block assists. Defensively Elsea and Davis led the way, they duo had 16 and 12 digs respectively in the match.
Marietta will return to the court Friday (April 2) when they host John Carroll University on Senior Night, with the first game scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
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.
