MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College volleyball team defeated La Roche University, 3-0 (25-13, 25-8, 25-18) on Wednesday (Sept. 7) evening inside Ban Johnson Arena. With the win the Pioneers improve to 4-0 overall and with the loss the Redhawks fall to 1-2 overall.  

"I am very proud of how our Pios got the job done tonight. They worked as a unit and executed the game plan," said Head Coach Kristy Newman.  

The first set was tied at 4-4 before Marietta rattled off three straight points to lead 7-4, thanks to three consecutive La Roche attack errors. The Pioneers widened the lead to 12-6 after two Mia Silva (Barberton, Ohio/Barberton) kills sandwiched around a Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) ace. Marietta extended its lead to 24-12 behind a 4-1 run.  The run was sparked by a trio of kills from Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) and an ace from Adrianna Salyer (Austinville, Va./Carroll County). The Pioneers would go on to close the first set, 25-13.

Marietta's most impressive display took place in set number two. The Pioneers began the set 7-0, fueled by the serving of Megan Marshall and three Becca Phelps (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison Comprehensive) kills.  They quickly got the serve back and Braya Elsea (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm) rattled off seven consecutive serves resulting in four kills from the Marietta front line.  Two straight aces from Riley Hohman (Copley, Ohio/Copley) put the lead at 18-4.  Silva registered two more kills in the closing moments and the set was finished off by a kill by Phelps. The Pioneers ran away with the second set, winning 25-8.  

The third set was close early as La Roche led at one point 9-7.  Marietta gained the momentum back with a 5-0 run, paced by kills from Phelps and Boyer. The Pioneers were able to make a dash for the finish line with three more Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) kills and finished off La Roche with a 25-18 third set win. 

The Marietta offense was led by Phelps with 13 kills and Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) with 10 kills.  Silva and Ella Boyer (Bay Village, Ohio/Saint Joseph Academy) added six kills apiece.  Megan Marshall has 37 assists.  Shannon led the defensive effort with a game high 16 digs.  Elsea added 14 digs in the match.         

Marietta will return to the court Friday (Sept. 9) when they travel to Mount Union to play in the Purple and White Invitational.  The will first battle Westminster College with the game scheduled to begin at 4 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.