MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College volleyball team stayed undefeated at the Ban Johnson Arena as they defeated Capital University on Wednesday (Oct. 18) evening 3-0 (25-19, 25-9, 25-15). With the win, Marietta is now 10-10 on the season and 5-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Capital drops to 6-16 with the loss and 0-6 in the OAC
Capital jumped out to a quick start in set one as they led 5-1. Kills from
Sophie Evans (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta) and
Ella Boyer (Bay Village, Ohio/Saint Joseph Academy) chipped at the lead, but the Comets score three consecutive kills to extend the lead to 8-3. The Pioneers scored on the next five possessions, fueled by kills from
Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington),
Mia Silva (Barberton, Ohio/Barberton), and Evans to tie the set at eight. The Comets took advantage of a couple of Marietta attack errors to retake the lead, but Marietta once again came back to tie at 16 . Marietta then took four of the next five possessions to grab control of the set, 20-17. Marietta closed out the set with kills from
Emory Spitler (Lebanon, Ohio/Lebanon) and
Jillian Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington).
Keira Shannon (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah Community) provided the set-winning ace and the Pioneers won 25-19.
Marietta started strong in to the second set opening the frame with a 5-0 lead, but the Comets fought back to tie with five straight points. Marietta went on the offensive as they took the next four points, with kills from Silva, Boyer, and
Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington).
Jillian Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) then got involved as she brought five kills in a back-breaking 10-point rally, bringing the score to 23-8. The Pioneers scored the deciding point on the 11th Comet attack error committed in the set and won 25-9.
Capital proved they still had some fight in them and jumped out to a 5-0 run in set three, only to see the lead evaporate with seven consecutive Pioneer points. The Comets again vaulted back into the lead with the aid of a trio of kills from Capital's Alissa Holler. The Pioneers answered with kills from
Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) to lead at 13-11, but saw Capital tie it back at 13. Three consecutive Comet attack errors gave Marietta back the lead and, this time, they would not allow Capital back into the contest. Marietta got three straight aces from
Jillian Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) to help push the lead to 21-14 and dominated the final moments of the set, scoring the final four points. Marietta won set three, 25-15.
Silva led the offense with a game high 10 kills in the match and added two blocks for the evening.
Jillian Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) added seven kills and led the Pioneers with 15 digs.
Maggie Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) added seven kills to the Pioneer offense and played well defensively with eight digs.
Emory Spitler (Lebanon, Ohio/Lebanon) led with 32 assists in the match.
The Pioneers will return to the court Saturday (Oct. 21) when they participate in tha tri-match at Heidelberg University. They will battle the host Student Princes at 1 p.m. and then take on Alma College with the game scheduled to begin at 3 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 X and Instagram.
