Pioneer volleyball extends win streak to eight matches with a pair of wins at Marymount Invitational
Marietta takes down Wis.-Stout in five games and then Dickinson (Pa.) in three

Sept. 15, 2006
ARLINGTON, Va. — Marietta College's volleyball coach Tom Symons predicted that his now veteran squad was poised for a breakout season, and it has come to fruition early in 2006. The Lady Pioneers, off to one of their best starts in school history, extended their win streak to eight games Friday (Sept. 15) with a pair of victories at the Marymount (Va.) Invitational.

Marietta (10-1) opened the tournament with a 3-2 win over Wisconsin-Stout (22-30, 30-27, 20-30, 30-27, 17-15). The Pioneers then kept the momentum going by knocking off Dickinson (Pa.), 3-0 (30-21, 30-21, 30-26), for the second time in as many weekends.

Senior Jaymi Stephens (Hilliard/Hillard Davidson) led the offensive attack with 15 kills against Wis.-Stout. Fellow seniors Ellen Doolittle (Louisville, Ky./DuPont Manual) and Paige Burton (Fairlawn/Archbishop Hoban) each added 11 kills. Doolittle also finished with four services aces.

Sophomore setter Caity Shirk (Middleburg Heights/Midpark) compiled 42 assists in the five-game victory, Marietta's second of the season.

The Pioneers' defense was also led by their seniors, as Stephens and Burton each had 19 digs, while junior libero Casey Davis (Amanda/Clearcreek) added 18.

Junior Marissa Barnhart (Avon) had a team-high eight total blocks in the victory.

Marietta faced Dickinson for the second time this season in the night cap and once again won in straight games.

Doolittle and Stephens each had 10 kills, while Barnhart and Shirk, who finished with 33 assist, added six kills against the Red Devils.

The Pioneers totaled 10 aces, with Doolittle and Burton accounting for five and four, respectively.

Marietta's defense was led by Davis, who collected 20 digs, while Doolittle and Barnhart finished with four and three total blocks, respectively.

The Pioneers will look to match their best start in history — an 11-1 record in 1986 — when they play two more matches on Saturday.