BEREA, Ohio – The Marietta College volleyball team was defeated by Baldwin Wallace University in a pair of game on Friday (April 9) evening. The Pioneers lost game one 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-21) and dropped game two 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 25-21).
The first set was tight early as the set was tied eight times, and remained deadlocked at 10-10. The early offense was led by three
Becca Phelps (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison Comprehensive) kills, and a pair of kills from
Sam Ritenour (Jeffersonville, Ohio/Miami Trace). Baldwin Wallace took control of the set when they scored 14 of the next 19 points to lead, 24-15. The Yellow Jackets took set one, 25-17.
The Pioneers took control of the second set early, to hold a 10-3 edge. The run was sparked by three straight kills from
Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington). In addition to Fellers,
Maddie Nader (Vermilion, Ohio/Vermilion) got the run started with an ace and
Maris Kaiser (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) notched a kill during the run. Later in the set Marietta led 15-10, but Baldwin Wallace scored seven unanswered points, to lead 17-15. The Pioneers tied the set at 18 points apiece with kills from Fellers, and Ritenour. The set remained deadlocked at 24-24, but the Yellow Jackets won the set, 26-24.
Baldwin Wallace took an early, 4-1 edge to open the third set. Marietta responded with a 6-0 run to take a 7-4 advantage. The run was sparked by kills from Fellers, and Phelps. The Yellow Jackets tied the set at 11-11. After the set was tied at 12 points apiece, Baldwin Wallace scored three straight points and led 15-12. The Pioneers battled for the remainder of the set, but fell 25-21.
Fellers led the Marietta offense with 11 kills, and had a pair of block assists in the match. The defense was sparked by
April Davis (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora), she had a game high 20 digs in the match, and a pair of service aces.
The second match of the day started as a back and forth battle, as the set was tied five times, and remained deadlocked at 5-5. The Pioneers scored three straight points, and led 8-5 behind a kill from Davis. Marietta maintained its led, and was on top 13-9 behind a pair of kills from
Hailey Fuller (Newark, Ohio/Granville). Baldwin Wallace answered to tie the set at 13-13, and the set was tied seven more times to remain all square at 20-20. The Yellow Jackets scored five of the last six points and won, 25-21.
The Pioneers were up earrly in the second set with a 5-2 lead behind kills from Ritenour, Fuller, and Fellers. Baldwin Wallace answered to tie the set at 8-8. Neither team was able to stretch out a lead and the set was tied at 19-19. The teams traded points and were tied at 22-22, but the Yellow Jackets scored the final three points, and took the second set 25-22.
Baldwin Wallace held a 10-6 edge early in the set. Marietta scored six of the next seven points and held a 12-11 edge. The run saw kills from Phelps, Ritenour, and Fellers. After the set was tied at 14, Ritenour, Fellers, and Phelps notched a kill to put the Pioneers on top 17-14. Marietta maintained its lead for the remainder of the set and won 25-20.
The fourth set was close early as the set was tied six times, and remained deadlocked at 8-8. The Yellow Jackets scored the next four points, and led 12-8. The Pioneers responded to tie the set at 15-15, with kills from Ritenour and Fellers. Baldwin Wallace was able to out-score Marietta, and won the set 25-21.
Fellers and Ritenour each led the offense with 16 kills and a pair of block assists. Davis led the defensive effort with 23 digs in the match.
The Pioneers will return to the court Tuesday (April 13) when they host Heidelberg University in the quarterfinals of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) tournament.
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.
