MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College volleyball team wrapped up the BSN Sports River City Classic with a 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-22) sweep of Kenyon on Saturday (Sept 4) afternoon. With the win the Pioneers are on 2-2 on the season.
Head Coach
Kristy Newman said, "I saw growth from each of our players this weekend. We showed fight that I haven't seen yet from this team. I am very proud of them."
Kenyon scored the first four points of the match to lead 4-0, but Marietta answered back with six straight points to lead 6-4. The early offense came from a pair of service aces from
Jenna Szabelski (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) and a kill from
Ella Boyer (Bay Village, Ohio/Saint Joseph Academy). The teams continued to battle and the set was deadlocked at 8-8. The Pioneers scored seven of the next 10 points to lead 15-11 behind kills from Boyer,
Maris Kaiser (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy), and
Lauren Radalia (Canton, Ohio/GlenOak). Later in the set, a kill from
Mia Silva (Barberton, Ohio/Barberton) put Marietta up 21-16, but Kenyon answered with four straight points to trim the Pioneers edge to 21-20. Marietta scored the final four points of the set, behind three kills from Silva, and won set one 25-20.
The Pioneers opened the second set strong and led, 4-2 behind kills from
Becca Phelps (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison Comprehensive), Radalia, and Boyer, with an ace from Szabelski. Marietta continued to play well, with kills from Phelps, Boyer, and Silva, to put the Pioneers on top 10-5. Kenyon battled back into the set, and took a 15-14 edge. Late in the second set, Kenyon held a 23-19 edge, but Marietta responded with seven of the last eight points to win the set, 26-24. The run was sparked by Radalia, she had four kills during the run.
The Pioneers carried their momentum over to a 6-3 third set lead, with a pair of aces by Radalia. After Marietta led 8-5, Kenyon took a 9-8 edge with four straight points. The Pioneers immediately answered with four points to regain a 12-9 advantage, with kills from Kaiser,
Makayla Schilling (Blacklick, Ohio/Licking Heights), and Szabelski. Marietta did not relinquish the lead, and took the final frame, 25-22.
The Pioneer offense was led by Radalia, she had nine kills, and four aces in the match. Silva added a game high 10 kills.
Braya Elsea (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm) led the defense with a game high 22 digs in the match.
Marietta will be back in action Tuesday (Sept. 7) when they travel to take on Wittenberg University, 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.
