WILMINGTON, Ohio — The Marietta College volleyball team extended its undefeated start in Ohio Athletic Conference play on Saturday (Oct. 10) afternoon, sweeping host Wilmington College 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-16). With the victory, the Pioneers improve to 13-6 overall and 2-0 in the OAC, while the Quakers drop to 8-8 overall and 0-3 in conference play.
The opening frame saw back-and-forth action early with five ties and three lead changes. Trailing 10-9, Marietta took control behind the serve of
Jayden Austermiller (Peyton, Colo./Springs Studio for Academic Excellence). Key kills from
Emily Piehler (Medina, Ohio/Medina) along with consecutive service aces capped a 7-0 run that pushed the Pioneers ahead 16-10. Marietta kept the pressure on late, getting back-to-back kills from
Karly Launder (Pleasant City, Ohio/Meadowbrook) before
AnnaBelle Hacker (Centerville, Ohio/Alter) closed out the set with a kill off an assist from
Elyse Smith (Zeeland, Mich./Zeeland East). The Pioneers would take set one, 25-16.
Wilmington took an early 3-1 lead in set two, but Marietta quickly responded with a 4-0 run keyed by a
Sarah Podkul (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield Area) service ace and kills from Hacker and Launder. Piehler took over mid-set, terminating multiple attacks from Smith to keep the Quakers at bay. Serving up 21-15, Austermiller put together another run, serving back-to-back aces to set up set point before
Karley Allwood (Wadsworth, Ohio/Wadsworth) slammed down the final kill for a set two 25-16 victory.
The host Quakers started strong in the final set, grabbing a 5-1 lead. Marietta steadily chipped away, leveling the score at 7-7 after a Wilmington set error and an attack error. Tied 9-9, Austermiller again turned the momentum at the service line, sparking an 8-0 Pioneer run featuring kills by
Emily Grant (Dennison, Ohio/Claymont) and Allwood alongside two more aces. Grant and
McKenzie Heil (Westlake, Ohio/Huron) (3 kills) added offense off the bench down the stretch, and Smith sealed the match sweep with a setter kill off a feed from
Keatyn Haynes (Williamstown, W.Va./Williamstown).
Launder and Piehler led the Pioneers' offensive attack with 13 kills apiece. Launder also picked up nine digs. Allwood was efficient on the outside, posting six kills and Hacker finished with five kills and the team's sole solo block. Smith dished out a game-high 27 assists while adding four digs and two service aces. Austermiller recorded eight assists and led all players with six service aces. Podkul anchored the defense, leading Marietta with 13 digs.
Kamryn Haynes (Williamstown, W.Va./Williamstown) and
Keatyn Haynes (Williamstown, W.Va./Williamstown) added 7 digs each.
The Pioneers will next be in action this Tuesday (Oct. 13) evening as they will travel to take on the University of Mount Union. The matchup is 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 X and Instagram.
