Marietta sweeps host Wilmington 3-0 in volleyball to keep OAC Tournament hopes alive
Pioneers close out regular season Friday at John Carroll

Oct. 28, 2008
WILMINGTON, Ohio — The Marietta College volleyball team stayed in the race for a spot in next week's Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-23) victory over host Wilmington College on Tuesday (Oct. 28).

The Pioneers, who evened their record at 16-16 overall, improved to 2-6 in the OAC. Marietta needs a win at John Carroll University on Friday (Oct. 31) night to secure the a berth into the eight-team OAC Tournament. The Quakers fell to 15-14 overall and finished its OAC schedule with a 1-8 record.

Senior setter Caity Shirk (Middleburg Heights/Midpark) ran to the offense on Tuesday, handing out 37 assists in the win. Shirk's favorite target was freshman outside hitter Alex Weissling (Dublin/Dublin Scioto), who finished with 15 kills. Senior middle blocker Sarah Vadaj (Streetsboro/Kent Roosevelt) added 10 kills. Both Weissling and Vadaj delivered two service aces. In addition, sophomore outside hitter Kelly Schoener (Dublin/Dublin Scioto) had nine kills and freshman right side hitter Meredith Storey (Olmsted Falls) contributed eight kills in the match.

Marietta's defense was anchored by junior libero Becca Holzworth (North Olmsted). Holzworth collected 19 digs, increasing her season total to 646 digs, which is four shy of tying Casey Davis '08 for the single-season record. Weissling and senior defensive specialist Brittany Papili (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) both had 11 digs. Three different Pioneers had two total blocks in the win.

The Pioneers, needing one more victory, now turn their attention to the Blue Streaks. Friday's action is slated to begin in University Heights at 7 p.m.