LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Marietta College volleyball team fought through a five-set thriller on the road Friday (Sept. 25) evening, ultimately falling just short in a battle against Transylvania University, 3-2 (21-25, 23-25, 25-13, 25-19, 11-15). With the setback, Marietta moves to 10-5 overall, while Transylvania improves to 5-8 on the season.
Transylvania took early control of the opening set, building a 7-2 lead fueled by the offense of Addie Atcher. Marietta clawed back mid-set with key blocks from
AnnaBelle Hacker (Centerville, Ohio/Alter),
Kendyl Cannon (Senecaville, Ohio/Meadowbrook), and
Elyse Smith (Zeeland, Mich./Zeeland East), alongside kills by
Karly Launder (Pleasant City, Ohio/Meadowbrook) and
Emily Piehler (Medina, Ohio/Medina), closing the gap to 23-21. However, Transylvania closed out the set with back-to-back points to take set one, 25-21.
Marietta responded aggressively in the second set, utilizing a major mid-set run to turn a 11-11 tie into a 15-12 advantage following kills from
Karley Allwood (Wadsworth, Ohio/Wadsworth) and service aces by Smith. Late back-to-back aces by
Keatyn Haynes (Williamstown, W.Va./Williamstown) stretched the Marietta lead to 20-18. Transylvania mounted a late rally to push ahead 24-21, and despite late pushes from Piehler and
Jayden Austermiller (Peyton, Colo./Springs Studio for Academic Excellence), Transylvania secured the two-point set win, 25-23.
Facing elimination, Marietta dominated the third frame from the opening whistle, jumping out to a 3-0 lead off blocks by
McKenzie Heil (Westlake, Ohio/Huron) and Allwood. Marietta pushed the lead to 11-4, fueled by a trio of kills from Launder and then hit their stride defensively and at the service line, backed by aces from Haynes and Launder. Piehler delivered a series of sharp kills down the stretch as Marietta cruised to a decisive 25-13 set three victory.
Maintaining their momentum, Marietta pushed hard in the fourth set. After a tight 13-13 tie, key kills from Launder and Heil, combined with continuous strong setup play from Smith, pushed Marietta ahead. Austermiller delivered at the service line late in the set, recording back-to-back service aces to set up game point before Piehler sealed the 25-19 set four win to force a decisive fifth set.
The final set saw both teams trade early points, leveling the score at 4-4 after a Heil finish. Transylvania captured a late momentum spark with a four-point run to build an 11-6 lead. Marietta mounted a rally, pulling within two at 13-11 following strikes from Smith and Hacker, but Transylvania answered on the final two rallies to seal the 15-11 five-set victory.
Launder led the way for Marietta with 19 kills and added 13 digs. Piehler added 13 kills and Allwood contributed eight kills. Hacker led with six blocks. Smith finished with 43 assists.
Sarah Podkul (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield Area) led the defensive effort with 16 digs.
Marietta will next participate in the Mount St. Joseph Tournament on Saturday (Sept. 26) afternoon. They will battle Franklin College in a neutral-site matchup at 1 p.m. and then will follow up with host Mount St. Joseph at 3 p.m.
