Zach Worstell
zdw001@marietta.edu
The atmosphere in Ban Johnson Arena was electric. The 12-1, #11 ranked, Wittenberg Tigers visited the 12-2 Marietta College Pioneers for a nail biting five-set matchup. Wittenberg fans traveled well; however, they were not able to match the energy of the Pioneer crowd Sunday afternoon. Last season the Wittenberg Tigers had outperformed the Pioneers, defeating them 3-1.
The first set was back and forth early. Each side was desperately trying to gain momentum on the other. Wittenberg would gain said momentum going on a five-point run making the score 16-11 before a Marietta timeout. However, this was the closest the first set would get, as the Tigers would pull away with the final score of 25-16.
The Pioneers came into the second set determined to not fall behind, as they jumped out to an early 8-4 lead. Marietta’s front line looked unstoppable this set, as they would add four kills during a seven consecutive point streak, making the score 22-11. The Tigers would have a service error, which led to Mia Silva closing the game out with two kills for a 25-12 victory.
The third set saw the opposite of the second, as Wittenberg rallied early with a 7-2 lead. Although Marietta would not back down without a fight, as they closed the deficit to 11-8. Wittenberg would respond to Marietta’s comeback by scoring nine of the next twelve points giving them a 20-13 lead. The Pioneers would regain the serve with a crucial kill from Maggie Fellers. Consequently, Marietta would go on a nine-point rally where Maggie would deliver three aces, and Silva would add two kills. The Pioneers would claim set three 25-23. One more set would have Marietta get their first ever win over Wittenberg.
Set four would see Marietta come out with a hot start with kills from Maggie Fellers and Emory Spitler, jumping ahead to a 7-3 lead. Howbeit, the Tigers fought back with a seven-point run allowing them a 12-10 lead. Wittenberg’s offensive momentum would not halt there, as they would go on another nine-point run to extend their lead to 21-11. The Tigers would secure the fourth set, finishing with a score of 25-15, and forcing the Pioneers into a fifth set.
The stage was set, for a colossal fifth set, as the score would be tied a staggering twelve times. Freshman Jillian Fellers made her presence known delivering a kill and a block putting the up Pioneers 6-5. Wittenberg would respond furiously, scoring four in a row, not to be beaten by Marietta’s response of five unanswered. With the game tied at 13, Maggie Feller delivered a kill setting the Pioneers at match point. The momentum would drastically shift as the Tigers would go on to score two straight placing themselves at match point. This back-and-forth sequence would continue until each team was tied at 19. A costly Pioneer error would then set up Wittenberg’s Kendall Robertson to earn the match winning point, giving the Tigers the well-earned win in the fifth set.
Despite the disappointing finish, Marietta looks to bounce back as they will be back hosting Mount Union on October 12th at 7 P.M. in a conference matchup. Pioneer’s Coach, Kristy Newman said, “I am proud of the fight the Pios had. It didn’t fall our way today, but we will learn and grow from this loss for our next match.”
