MARIETTA, Ohio – Following a historic, undefeated 2024 campaign, the Marietta College volleyball team entered the 2025 season facing high expectations. The Pioneers quickly dismissed any concerns of a regression by pushing through a demanding early-season schedule, which featured a matchup against perennial national No. 1 Juniata.
 
Marietta went on to capture a share of first place in the Ohio Athletic Conference at the end of the regular season. However, their postseason run came to an end with a loss to rival Otterbein University in the OAC Championship, concluding their season with a 17-8 overall record and a 7-1 mark in conference play.
 
Entering this new season, the Pioneers must again adapt to key departures from last year's lineup. The team said goodbye to all-time kills leader Jillian Fellers (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) and All-OAC defensive specialist Kiera Shannon. Former OAC Player of the Year and all-time assist leader Emory Spitler also steps off the court, though she remains with the program, transitioning to the sideline as an assistant coach.
 
Ninth-year head coach Kristy Anderson returns to lead Marietta once again. Expressing satisfaction with the program's overall progress, Anderson brings the same passion and drive that elevated the team to the forefront of the conference and is pleased how both returners and newcomers have progressed in the off-season.
 
"It has been so great having the team back on campus. The energy in the gym has been amazing," said Anderson. "Coming off of last season, the team has a good bit of hunger to continue to improve and grow off of the success."
 
Several key contributors are returning this season, led by senior middle blocker AnnaBelle Hacker (Centerville, Ohio/Alter), an All-OAC First Team selection who ranked fifth in the conference with a .275 hitting percentage and ninth with nearly one block per set. Also back is junior outside hitter Karly Launder (Pleasant City, Ohio/Meadowbrook), who delivered three kills per set last year to rank fourth in the OAC. Additionally, sophomore Karley Allwood (Wadsworth, Ohio/Wadsworth) is expected to take on an expanded role in 2026 after a strong freshman campaign in which she placed among the conference's top ten in blocks.
 
"We are returning a good bit of our starting lineup," said Anderson. "And those experienced players will be stepping into bigger, expanded roles. I am truly excited to see everything this group will achieve this coming fall!"
 
The future again looks bright for the Pioneers as they have added six newcomers: front line players Haley Leslie (Kensington, Ohio/Carrollton) and Freya Brokken (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro), setters Kendyl Johnson (Marietta, Ohio/Waterford) and Elyse Smith (Zeeland, Mich./Zeeland East), and defensive specialists Keatyn Haynes (Williamstown, W.Va./Williamstown) and Jenna Swale (Vienna, Va./James Madison). According to Coach Anderson, "they have the potential to make an immediate impact, whether that's through their skill, energy or embracing the family culture. We are excited for our fans to get to see some new faces wearing the Marietta College jersey."
 
The Pioneers will open the season on the road as they travel to Denison University on Tuesday (Sept. 1) for a non-conference matchup with a scheduled start time of 7:00 p.m.  Marietta's first home matchup will not be until September 8 when they host Hiram College.
 
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.