By: Abby Scott (ams024@marietta.edu)
The Ban Johnson Arena came alive when the number 18 ranked Marietta College Pioneers took on the number 21 ranked Case Western Reserve University Spartans. Both teams came into the game undefeated outside of their conferences and this would mark the end of a streak for either team. The Pioneers made quick work out of the Spartans and won in three straight sets. With the win the Pioneers are 10-0 while the Spartans now sit 12-1 overall.
In the first set, the Pioneers took the lead with a five-point difference with Maggie Fellers etching three aces. Leading to an 11-to-2 lead were kills by M. Fellers, Sophia Evans, and Mia Silva. After some time, the Pioneers had the match in the bag with a 19-to-4-point difference. Case Western tried to crawl back after getting four un-deviated points. However, Jillian Fellers made a statement with three sets of kills. To end the first set there was an attack error by the Spartans, giving the first set to the Pioneers.
To open the second set, the Pioneers opened the serve with the final play being a kill by Ella Boyer. The Spartans took two points to lead in the second set, but this was short-lived after the Pioneers came back with a set of kills from Evans leading the Spartans 8-to-3. After a couple of mistakes by the Spartans, Marietta extended their lead with three kills from Silva making the score 15-to-6. In the last points of the set, Marietta claimed the second set with three kills from Evans ending the second set 25-to-9.
In the third set, the Pioneers took an early lead with a score of 4-to-1. Although, the Spartans stayed attentive and delivered a set of kills pushing the Spartans’ lead to 6-to-4. After three kills by the Spartans, Case Western kept the lead by two, leading 11-to-9. After some quick volleys, the Spartans took advantage leading 17-to-16. After some more back and forth the Spartans ultimately led 23-to-21. To close out the third set, the Pioneers were able to get kills from Silva, Evans, and M. Fellers, taking the set in a close match, 25-to-23.
The Marietta College offense was led by Silva with 13 kills, J. Fellers with 12 kills, and Evans and M. Fellers with 8 kills. Evans led the team in blocks with five and M. Fellers with six service aces. Emory Spitler led the Pios with 38 assists. Kiera Shannon led the defensive effort with 17 digs for the match.
Marietta was also meant to face Wittenberg University this weekend as part of the Marietta Tri-Match however that game was postponed as Wittenberg canceled all home and away contests until Monday September 23rd. The Pioneers head back out on the road with a game for Thursday, September 25th, against Dennison University with a start time at 7:00 p.m. Fans who cannot make a game can go to pioneers.marietta.edu or you can follow the Pioneers on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.
Edited By: Zachary Worstell (zdw001@marietta.edu)
