Sports

Pioneers Win Two, Both In Straight Sets


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Despite dropping their home opener to Bethany College last night, the Marietta Pioneers bounced back with two straight-sets wins over Frostburg State and Grove City on the second day of the BSN River City Classic.

The Pioneers (3-4) dominated the Frostburg State Bobcats (1-6) in their first match, defeating them 25-8, 25-14, 25-16. In the first set, Marietta jumped out to an early 8-1 lead and closed the set on a 17-7 run, posting a team attack percentage of .407.

The proficient play of the Pioneers in the first set transitioned well heading into the second and third sets. Marietta closed the match with 36 kills and 59 digs while committing merely nine errors.

The only time in which Marietta trailed Frostburg was 0-1 in the final set.

The stout defensive play and energetic offensive play in the first match was quickly harmonized in the second match. The Pioneers beat Grove City 25-12, 25-19, 25-14.

Marietta handled Grove City easily in the first set; however fell down 4-12 midway through the second set. From there, the Pioneers went on a 16-4 run of their own and did not look back after taking the lead. They closed the second set with match lows in attack percentage at .208 and kills with 14.

The challenging play of Grove City in the second set did not fret the Pioneers in the third. Marietta rebounded in the third set and posted a match-high .268 attack percentage in the 11-point win.

The Pioneers posted 47 kills and 43 assists while compiling 92 digs in their match against Grove City.

Collectively, sophomore hitter Keri Horton had a team-high 20 kills while junior setter Laura Mauer had team-high 53 assists of the Pioneers 78. Sophomore hitter Kennedy Clyde compiled a team-high 37 digs and 11 kills.

The Pioneers played much better as a team and limited their errors, which have been a problem this season. Marietta looks to even its record and close the River City Classic Sept. 8 with a 12:00 p.m. match against Transylvania.