LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Marietta College volleyball team dropped a pair of games on Saturday (Sept. 25) afternoon at the Transylvania Invitational. The Pioneers fell in the first match 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-11) to Hanover College, and dropped the second match to host Transylvania 3-0 (25-7, 25-23, 25-19).
"We got better as a team today. The results were not what we wanted, but we will be back in the gym on Monday preparing and pushing for our next match," said Head Coach
Kristy Newman.
The Panthers jumped out to an early 8-1 lead in the opening frame of the match. The lone Marietta point was scored on a kill from
Ella Boyer (Bay Village, Ohio/Saint Joseph Academy), and a kill by
Mia Silva (Barberton, Ohio/Barberton) halted the Hanover run. The Panthers continued their strong play, as they extended their lead to 17-6 later in the set. The Pioneers battled but were unable to string together a comeback and dropped the first set, 25-13.
The second set was close early, as the set was tied four times and remained all square at 5-5. The early Marietta offense came from a pair of kills from Silva and a kill from
Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington). The Pioneers scored three of the next four points to lead 8-6, behind a service ace from
Braya Elsea (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm). Hanover battled back and the second set was tied at 10-10. The Panthers rattled off eight straight points and led, 18-10. Marietta responded with four straight points behind a pair of kills and a block from Silva. Hanover closed out the second set, and won 25-16.
After the Pioneers held a 2-1 edge in the third set behind a kill from Fellers, the Panthers scored seven of the next eight points to lead, 8-3. Marietta answered with back to back kills from
Becca Phelps (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison Comprehensive) and
Jenna Szabelski (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson), to make the score 8-5. The Pioneers could not close the gap any further, and fell in the third set, 25-11.
Silva lead the Marietta offense in game one, she had eight kills, and two total blocks in the match. Fellers added to the offense with five kills and a match high four blocks. Elsea led the defensive effort with a game high 14 digs, and tallied an ace.
In the second match of the night, Transylvania jumped out to a 12-1 edge. Transylvania continued its strong first set play and won, 25-7. The Marietta points came from a pair of kills from Silva.
Marietta held a lead numerous times early in the second set, with leads of 4-2, 5-3, 6-5, and 8-6. The early offense came from a pair of kills from Fellers, and a kill from
Maris Kaiser (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy). Marietta extended its lead to 11-6 behind kills from
Lauren Radalia (Canton, Ohio/GlenOak) and Fellers. Transylvania battled back and tied the set at 15 points apiece. Marietta picked up three of the next four points to lead 18-16, behind kills from Fellers and Szabelski, and a block from Fellers and Silva. After Marietta led 21-19, Transylvania scored the next four points to lead 23-21. Marietta answered to tie the set at 23-23, behind an ace from Szabelski. Transylvania tallied the final two points and won 25-23.
After Transylvania led 4-1 in thee third set, Marietta answered with four consecutive points to lead 5-4. The four-point run saw kills from Silva,
Alayna Ricker (Columbus Grove, Ohio/Columbus Grove), and Fellers. Transylvania scored seven of the next eight points and led 11-6. Marietta fought back into the set, and trimmed the edge to 15-13 behind an ace from
Adrianna Salyer (Austinville, Va./Carroll County). Marietta could not get any closer and fell, 25-19.
The Pioneer offense was led by Fellers as she had 12 kills in the match, and a game high three block assists. Elsea led the defense with a match high 12 digs.
Marietta will return to the court Tuesday (Sept. 28) when they travel to take on the College of Wooster, with the game scheduled to begin at 7 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.
