Marietta volleyball falls 3-1 at Capital
Freshman Alex Weissling has seven service aces against Crusaders

Oct. 21, 2008
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Marietta College lost 3-1 to host Capital University in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) volleyball action on Tuesday (Oct. 21) night. The loss dropped the Pioneers' record to 13-14 overall and 1-6 in the OAC. The Crusaders, who won 25-15, 25-20, 22-25, 25-21, improved to 23-5 overall and 5-2 in league play.

Marietta freshman outside hitter Alex Weissling (Dublin/Dublin Scioto) finished with a match-high 16 kills and seven service aces, which equaled a career-high. Sophomore outside hitter Kelly Schoener (Dublin/Dublin Scioto) added 10 kills, while sophomore middle blocker Sarah Vadaj (Streetsboro/Kent Roosevelt) and freshman middle blocker Jessie Blackley (Aurora) contributed six kills each. Senior setter Caity Shirk (Middleburg Heights/Midpark) dished out 33 assists in the match, giving her 2,777 career assists, which ranks third in Marietta history.

The Crusaders' offensive attack was led by Jackie Helm with a team-high 13 kills, while Jenifer Fekpe added 12 kills. Jenna Zumberger and Kara Guster had 24 and 17 assists, respectively. In addition, Zumberger and Helm both contributed three service aces.

Junior libero Becca Holzworth (North Olmsted) led all defenders with 35 digs, while senior defensive specialist Brittany Papili (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) added 10 digs. Blackley also helped the Pioneers' defense with four total blocks.

Helm also paced Capital's defense with 18 digs, while Sara Doebel had 17 digs and Zumberger finished with 16 digs. Kelly Steineman and Allison Hostetler both collected four total blocks in the match.

Marietta steps away from its OAC schedule this weekend to compete at the St. Mary's College Seahawks Invitational in St. Mary's City, Md. The Pioneers will take on Virginia Wesleyan University and Gwynedd-Mercy College on Friday (Oct. 24) at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively. Marietta will then battle Salisbury University and Neumann College on Saturday (Oct. 25) at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.