Written by: Zachary Worstell (zdw001@marietta.edu)
In October, the Pioneers went to work on their Ohio Athletic Conference opponents. After dropping two losses to ranked schools in Michigan, Marietta College has gone 6-1, sweeping their conference opponents. With these wins Marietta College have climbed back up the AVCA Coaches Poll to #20 as they sit at a 15-5 record.
Their interconference matchups began on October 3rd at home versus Ohio Northern. Here the Pios swept the Polar Bears with a point total 60-42.
Next up the Pioneers got their second ranked win of the season. On the road Marietta defeated then #15 Otterbein 3-1. The Pios took the first set in extras winning 30-28. However, Otterbein took the second set 25-17. Tied one all, the Cardinals and Pioneers battled back and forth, and with an Otterbein 23-20 lead, the Pios came back and took set three 26-24. With the advantage, Marietta took set four 25-16 for the win.
Heidelberg gave Marietta a challenge taking them to set five. They exchanged sets one and two 25-21. In set three the Student Princes took the advantage 25-22. However, the Pioneers gained momentum winning 25-16 and 15-13.
Marietta stayed undefeated in the OAC vs Capital sweeping the Comets at home with a point total 50-30.
October 18th, the Pioneers hosted the Marietta Tri-Match inviting Muskingum and Carnegie Mellon. Carnegie Mellon have been ranked for half the season making them a tough challenger, and the proved it by defeating Muskingum 3-2. They then proceeded to defeat the Pioneers 3-2 despite a point total Marietta 74 – Carnegie 54. The Pios took set one 25-17, with the Tartans returning the favor winning 25-21 and 25-17. The Pios dominated set four 25-10, however dropped the final set 15-7 for their first loss of the month.
This past week, Marietta has hosted Muskingum and Baldwin Wallace. First, the Pioneers beat the Muskies 3-1 with a final total 75-60. Then, versus the Yellow Jackets Marietta dropped the first 25-23, then won three straight 28-26, 25-18, 25-17 for a point total of 73-63 in a 3-1 victory.
With the Pioneers sitting at 15-5 on the season, they have three games left in the regular season to build up their resume for the NCAA Tournament. This Wednesday October 29th, the Pioneers play the Mount Union Purple Raiders on the road. Then on Halloween they host Wilmington College at 7:00 p.m. Lastly, Marietta finished off the season visiting Wittenberg.
Afterwards Marietta will play in the OAC tournament in November and look to qualify for the NCAA Tournament later this fall. To keep up with Marietta College volleyball visit them at pioneers.marietta.edu/sports/womens-volleyball.
