Denison defeats Marietta to win 2005 River City Tournament
Lady Pioneers finish opening weekend 2-2

Sept. 3, 2005
MARIETTA, Ohio –The 2005 River City Volleyball Tournament concluded Saturday (Sept. 3) afternoon on the campus of Marietta College. Denison University finished undefeated (4-0) to capture the title, after having to settle for runner-up in 2004.

The Big Red’s setter Jenny Gresla was named Most Valuable Player of the five-team tournament. Marietta’s Ellen Doolittle (Louisville, KY/DuPont Manual) represented the Lady Pioneers on the All-Tournament Team.

Denison and Marietta were paired up in the final match of the tournament, which consisted of each team facing each other once and the team with the best record winning the championship. The Big Red won in straight games (30-26, 30-26, 30-27) to capture the crown. Seton Hill (PA), who finished the weekend 3-1, earned second place.

Marietta freshman Heather Faehnle (Columbus/Hiliard Davidson) finished with 33 assists and a team-high 13 digs against Denison. Junior Paige Burton (Fairlawn/Akron Hoban) added 10 kills and four service aces, while junior Jaymi Stephens (Columbus/Hilliard Davidson) and Doolittle each had nine kills in the loss.

Saturday morning, Marietta rolled a straight-game victory Penn State-Behrend at Ban Johnson Arena. The Pioneers took game one 30-16, game two 30-20 and game three 30-26.

Faehnle had 32 assists while leading the offensive schemes. Doolittle led the Pioneers in kills and total blocks with 11 and four, respectively. Craig finished with a team-best 19 digs in the victory.

Scores from Saturday, Sept. 3

Seton Hill (PA) def. Ohio Valley (WV): 30-19, 30-18, 30-18
Marietta def. PSU-Behrend (PA): 30-16, 30-20, 30-26
Denison def. Ohio Valley (WV): 30-20, 30-12, 30-28
Seton Hill (PA) def. PSU-Behrend (PA): 30-14, 30-19, 30-20
Denison def. Marietta: 30-26, 30-26, 30-27

2005 All-Tournament Team:
Jenny Gresla, Denison (MVP)
Kristen Sheffield, Denison
Ellen Doolittle, Marietta
Michelle Morrison, Ohio Valley
Reigh Steban, Seton Hill
Lisa Wagner, PSU-Behrend