HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Marietta College volleyball team bounced back on the second day of the Juniata ASICS Invitational on Saturday (Sept 16) and swept both their matches on the day.  The Pioneers made quick work of Muhlenberg College 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-16) in the early action and then returned later in the afternoon to defeat the #18-ranked Ithaca College 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-19) in dominant fashion.
 
"It was amazing to see how we bounced back after our loss to Juniata last night," said Marietta head coach Kristy Anderson.  "Today was the first time I have seen this group play as one Unit and it was something special."

Marietta rushed out to an 10-1 lead in set one against Muhlenberg with Karly Launder (Pleasant City, Ohio/Meadowbrook) leading the way with three kills and Jillian Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) adding another pair.   The Mules slowed the momentum, but Marietta pushed the lead out to 16-6 as Fellers contributed an additional trio of kills.  Later in the match, Marietta scored on six straight possessions to distance themselves and, even after Muhlenberg scored a four-point mini rally, the Pioneers claimed the set with Fellers kill.  Marietta claimed the first set, 25-13.  

Marietta again jumped out to a 8-3 lead in set two, getting three key kills from Emily Piehler (Medina, Ohio/Medina).  The Pioneer extended the lead after getting a pair of kills from AnnaBelle Hacker (Centerville, Ohio/Alter) to put the score at 14-7.  The Mules fought back, taking nine of the next 11 points to tie it up at 16.  After some traded points, the Mules actually took their first lead as Killiann Keogh score on a kill to give them a 19-18 lead.   Marietta took the next three points to regain the lead, but Muhlenberg tied it back up at 21-all.  After some traded points, Marietta finally closed out the set with a kill from Piehler and took set two, 25-23.

The Pioneers quickly took control of set three as Launder, Piehler, and Karley Allwood (Wadsworth, Ohio/Wadsworth) all brought a pair of kills apiece to put the early score at 9-4.  Marietta extended the lead as Hacker scored on a pair of kills and Jayden Austermiller (Peyton, Colo./Springs Studio for Academic Excellence) scored on a service ace, giving Marietta a 15-7 advantage.  Fellers followed with a pairs of kills and the Pioneers went on the extend the lead to 20-12 and, despite a mini comeback from the Mules, the lead was too far to overcome.  In the closing moments of the match, Marietta claimed victory after a pair of kills from Fellers to clinch the victory in set three, 25-16.

The balanced offense was led by Fellers with 14 kills.  Launder added 12 and Piehler finished with 10 kills.  Spitler dished out 41 assists and Keira Shannon (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah Community) one again led the defense with 13 digs in the match.  
 
In the second match of the day, Marietta got off to a quick start against #18 ranked Ithaca College, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first set.  Later, after Hacker provided another three kills, the Pioneers led by six.  Marietta then scored six straight points, keyed by a kill and an ace from Fellers, to push the lead to 17-7.  Although the Bombers were able to claw back and remain close, the lead was too much to overcome.  Halee Williams (Belpre, Ohio/Belpre) provided the final kill and Marietta took set one, 25-18.  

Marietta fell behind early in set two but regained the lead as Ithaca committed several consecutive attack errors, giving the Pioneers a 8-5 lead.  Hacker and Fellers sent powerful kills to extend the lead, and after kills from Piehler and Allwood, Marietta enjoyed a 16-11 lead.  Some sloppy Bomber play widened the lead and Fellers closed out the set with a pair of kills and Marietta took set two, 25-17.

Set three saw Ithaca once again take an early 5-2 lead, but Marietta regained the lead with a five-point rally, fueled by two aces from Emma Weiseman (Monroe, Ohio/Monroe).  Facing a straight-set defeat, Ithaca took the next five points to jump into the lead.  Both teams traded possessions, but Marietta took control with a devastating eight straight points to give them a seven point lead late in the match.  The Bombers took some points along the way, but after a pair of kills from Hacker, they could not overcome the deficit and Marietta went on to take set three,  25-19, to complete the victory over the highly ranked Bombers.
 
Fellers led with nine kills and tied with 14 digs.  Hacker was nearby with seven kills and led the Pioneers with three blocks.  Spitler finished with 25 assists, two blocks, and 10 digs. Keira Shannon (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah Community) also finished with 14 digs in the match.  

At the end of the event, an all-tournament team was named.  Fellers and Spitler were both named to the team, along with Ava Gummer and Isabella Rushing from Juniata, Christina Marcin from Muhlenberg, and Naomi Clauhs from Ithaca.  Juniata's Maggie Hayes was named Most Valuable Player for the weekend.

The Pioneers will next play in the Muskingum Invitational next weekend (Sept. 12-13).  On Friday, the Pioneers will play Washington & Jefferson at 4 p.m.  On Saturday, Marietta will battle Case Western Reserve at 12 p.m. and follow up with Mount St. Joseph at 2 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.