Marietta volleyball avenges loss to Ohio Dominican to win Pioneer Classic
Pioneers improve to 11-6 with 3-0 wins over Panthers and Fighting Scots

Sept. 20, 2008
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College volleyball team pieced together a pair of impressive wins on Saturday (Sept. 20) afternoon to capture the 2008 Pioneer Classic at Ban Johnson Arena. The Pioneers advanced to the championship game after a 3-0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-13) victory over Ohio Valley (W.Va.) University in the morning. Marietta then avenged its only loss of the weekend by topping Ohio Dominican University in three games (25-15, 25-17, 25-21) in the afternoon to finish the four-team tournament 3-1 and improve to 11-6 on the season.

Junior libero Becca Holzworth (North Olmsted) was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament for her effort in the four matches. Holzworth was joined on the All-Tournament Team by senior setter Caity Shirk (Middleburg Heights/Midpark) and sophomore outside hitter Kelly Schoener (Dublin/Dublin Scioto).

Holzworth led the defensive effort with 18 digs in the win over Ohio Valley. Shirk finished with 31 assists in the match and moved into third place on the Pioneers' all-time assist list with 2,398 career assists. Shirk, who added a team-best three service aces, spread out those assists with Schoener finishing off a team-high eight kills. Freshman outside hitter Nancy Boscarello (Seven Hills/Normandy) added seven kills in the win.

Holzworth also paced Marietta's defense against Ohio Dominican, finishing with 25 digs in the win. Shirk and freshman outside hitter Jaimie Hartline (North Canton/Glen Oak) both contributed 10 digs in the match. Hartline also finished with five total blocks, three solo and two assists. Senior middle blocker Sarah Vadaj (Streetsboro/Kent Roosevelt) also chipped in with a solo block and three block assists.

Shirk also added 36 assists against the Panthers to increase her career total to 2,434 assists. Hartline and Schoener both collected a team-best 12 kills, while freshman right side hitter Meredith Storey (Olmsted Falls) added seven kills. In addition, Holzworth, senior defensive specialist Emily Wheatley (Wyoming) and junior defensive specialist Katy Williams (Richmond, Ind.) all had two service aces.

Marietta looks to continue its momentum when the Pioneers travel to Washington, Pa., on Tuesday (Sept. 23) evening for a 7 p.m. match-up with host Washington & Jefferson College. It will be Marietta's final Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) tune-up before it plays host to Heidelberg College on Saturday (Sept. 27) afternoon.

Saturday's Scores
Marietta def. Ohio Valley 3-0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-13)
Ohio Dominican def. Salem 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-10)
Championship: Marietta def. Ohio Dominican 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-21)
Consolation: Salem def. Ohio Valley 3-1 (26-24, 15-25, 25-16, 25-23)

All-Tournament Team
Becca Holzworth (MC) - MVP
Kelly Schoener (MC)
Caity Shirk (MC)
Christine Tillman (SC)
Amanda Schell (OVU)
Ashley Croy (ODU)
Stacy Rogg (ODU)