MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College volleyball team delivered a commanding performance at the Ban Johnson Arena, sweeping Hiram College 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-23). With the victory, Marietta improved to 3-3 on the season. The loss dropped the Terriers to 4-2 overall.
"It was great to be back in the banjo with our amazing fans," said Marietta head coach
Kristy Anderson. "We worked as a complete unit tonight and communicated extremely well to get the win."
The opening set began as a back-and-forth battle, with Hiram matching Marietta point-for-point through the early rotations. Tied at 10-10 following an attack error by Hiram's Madison Dustman, Marietta seized control of the momentum. Setter
Elyse Smith (Zeeland, Mich./Zeeland East) spread the ball effectively, connecting with
Karley Allwood (Wadsworth, Ohio/Wadsworth) and
Karly Launder (Pleasant City, Ohio/Meadowbrook) for key transition kills. Marietta's defense at the net stepped up in the latter stages of the set, as the frontline combination of
Kendyl Cannon (Senecaville, Ohio/Meadowbrook), Annabelle Hacker, and Allwood repeatedly stifled Hiram's attackers. A late 7-1 surge, punctuated by an attack error from Hiram's Sofia Smotek and a set-ending service ace from
Keatyn Haynes (Williamstown, W.Va./Williamstown), gave Marietta a decisive 25-16 set one victory.
Hiram struck first in the second frame behind early kills from Megan Chiang, but Marietta quickly answered with a four-point run highlighted by net play from Hacker and timely finishes from Piehler. Smotek and Rebecca Volpe kept the Terriers within striking distance, Marietta's consistent offensive attack prevented any full comeback. Leading 20-18 late in the frame, Marietta created crucial separation with a Smith service ace and a sharp kill from Cannon. Hiram fought off two set points, but
Emily Piehler (Medina, Ohio/Medina) slammed down a clean feed from Smith to close out set two, 25-21.
Facing a sweep, Hiram opened set three with high energy, taking a 3-0 lead following back-to-back kills from Chiang and a service ace by Courtney Johnson. Marietta remained composed, steadily chipping away at the deficit until a Launder kill leveled the score at 10-10. The set then turned into a thriller featuring five lead changes and multiple ties. With the score knotted at 18-18, Marietta went on a 3-0 run courtesy of consecutive Hiram attack errors and a joint block by Allwood and Launder. Hiram mounted one final push, stringing together points to tie the set again at 21-21. Launder restored the lead with a clutch kill and Cannon and Allwood combined for a critical block to force match point. After Hiram fended off one match point, Piehler put the contest away with her final kill and secured the 25-23 victory and a 3-0 sweep.
Launder led the charge with 12 kills and also provided 12 digs. Piehler added 11 kills. Allwood finished with seven kills and led with six blocks. Hacker and Cannon both contributed five blocks apiece. Smith led with 33 assists and
Kamryn Haynes (Williamstown, W.Va./Williamstown) led the defensive effort led with 17 digs.
The Pioneers will next play this weekend at the Ohio Northern Invitational. The Pioneers will battle Berea College Friday (Sept. 11) with a scheduled start time of 7:00 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.
