PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Marietta College volleyball team got back to their winning ways as they swept both games on day two of the Carnegie Mellon Quad Saturday (Sept. 24) afternoon. The Pioneers defeated Westminster College 3-0 (25-12, 25-13, 25-18) and then defeated Grove City College 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-21).
After some early back and forth action in set one versus Westminster, Marietta gained control after receiving kills from
Ella Boyer (Bay Village, Ohio/Saint Joseph Academy) and
Mia Silva (Barberton, Ohio/Barberton), putting the lead at 7-4. Marietta then went on a seven-point run, fueled by three
Jillian Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) aces, to put the tally at 18-9. Westminster briefly stopped the momentum but the Pioneers would score seven of the next nine points and would close out the first set, and win 25-12.
Marietta jumped out quickly to a 12-5 lead in the second set. The run was highlighted by a trio of thunderous kills from Silva and the Pioneers were firmly in control. After the two teams traded serves,
Becca Phelps (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison Comprehensive) took a perfect
Emory Spitler (Lebanon, Ohio/Lebanon) set and scored the kill, putting the score at 17-8. The Pioneers scored six of the final seven points and took set two, 25-13.
The Pioneers and Titans began set three deadlocked at five, but Marietta scored the next three points off kills from
Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) and Silva. Westminster chipped away at the lead and Rachel Brady's kill cut the Pioneer lead to 11-10. Marietta then went on a five point run, thanks to two Boyer kills and two Spitler aces. The Titans did not give up as they fought back to put the score at 21-18, but they could not get closer. The Pioneers would close out the set, winning 25-18.
The offense was led by
Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) with 14 kills.
Jillian Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) totaled 10 kills and led with six total blocks.
Braya Elsea (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm) led the defense with 22 digs in the match.
In the second match of the afternoon, Marietta got some stiff competition from Grove City College. The Wolverines rushed out to an 8-4 lead with the help of two Eloise Augustine kills and two Gabby Lucas aces. Marietta fought back to tie it at 10 with kills from the Fellers sisters, Silva, and Boyer. After Grove City inched out to a 16-14 lead, the Pioneers got the run that they needed. Megan Marshall scored on six consecutive serves, including two aces and the Pioneers took a 19-16 lead. Grove City fought back to tie it at 19 with a kill from the Wolverines' Bella Costa. After trading serves, Marietta got it to set point but lost serve on a Robyn Collier kill. On the ensuing serve, Spitler skipped the set and sent it over to get the kill. The Pioneers won the first set, 25-23.
Marietta jumped out quickly to a 10-5 lead in the second set as the entire Pioneer front line registered kills. The lead was pushed out to 15-9 but Grove City fought back, scoring four of the next five points. The Pioneers widened the lead to 20-15 with the help of two
Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) kills, but Grove City was able to chip away and eventually tied it at 22. After a Marietta time out,
Jillian Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) connected on a kill, and Spitler closed it out with an ace. The Pioneers took set two, 25-22.
Becca Phelps (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison Comprehensive) helped Marietta to a quick 3-0 lead in set three as she notched a block and a kill. After the two teams traded shots, Marietta would take four of the next five points with kills from the Fellers sisters and Phelps. Marietta expanded the lead to 17-10 but the Wolverines fought back, taking four of the next five points. Two consecutive Phelps kills gave the Pioneers a bit more breathing room, setting the lead at 21-15. Grove City mounted a comeback but could not get any closer and Pioneers would finish out the set, winning 25-21.
Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) and
Jillian Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) totaled 13 kills each and
Mia Silva (Barberton, Ohio/Barberton) finished with 10 kills to lead the offense.
Becca Phelps (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison Comprehensive) led with four total blocks.
Braya Elsea (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm) led the defense with 20 digs in the match.
The Pioneers will return to the court Wednesday (Sept. 28) when they travel to Ohio Wesleyan University, the match scheduled for 7 p.m.
Fans can follow all 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.
