Mattie Unger
ungerm@marietta.edu

Every year before the season starts, the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) ranks the ten teams that make up this competitive conference. For the 2006 volleyball season, they ranked Marietta as the ninth place seed.

This kind of skepticism about the Marietta volleyball program has plagued the team for years. But doubt proved to have nothing to do with playing ability, as the Pioneers demonstrated this season. Since the conclusion of the 2005 season, Marietta focused on the future. Through the long workouts, strenuous lifting, and exhausting practices, the Pios evolved into a stronger team. “We all worked hard from the end of last season and we stayed mentally tough,” said sophomore setter Caity Shirk. Physically in better shape and closer as a team, the Pioneers refused to settle for mediocre. This year wouldn’t be the same. From game one, Marietta turned heads. Of the three tournaments they played in, the Pios took all three titles. They beat teams they weren’t expected to. Finally, Marietta was earning the respect they longed for.

Thanks to the return of six letter winners and a team full of experience, the Pioneers were able to dominate this season. Not losing any seniors from last season, made for a familiar lineup. “We didn’t lose any upperclassmen last year,” said senior outside hitter Jaymi Stephens. “We had a strong foundation of key returning players to build this year on.” The players understood each other and how to play to succeed. “We’re a tight-knit group,” said Shirk. This depth was a critical advantage for Marietta.

Another vital element of the Marietta volleyball team is their close-knit relationship-- an ingredient many teams lack. “The main thing that sets us apart from everyone else is our closeness as a team,” said Stephens. “We are all such good friends off the court, and so we know each other really well, which positively affects how we play on the court.”

The success of the 2006 squad made its mark in the record books this year. At the conclusion of their season, they had compiled the best record in Marietta history. With a winning percentage of .741, the Pioneer’s 20-8 record landed itself at the top of a 31-year history.

There were hopes to continue adding wins to Marietta’s record as tournament play started in early November. For the first time in three years, the Pioneers qualified for the OAC Tournament. With a 4-5 conference record, the Pios earned a sixth seed, which matched them against third-place Capital. In a heartbreaking loss, Capital took the match and continued on in the tournament.

Despite not advancing father in the OAC Tournament, Marietta is still pleased with their success this year. Along with breaking the regular season record, they also broke the record for best start of a season. Going 13-1 in the early portion of the season earned the Pios this honor.

On an individual level, Pioneers continued to break records. Junior libero Casey Davis broke the record for most digs in a four-game match with 42. Senior middle blocker Ellen Doolittle also broke the record of most career blocks with 363. Doolittle was also named to the All OAC 2nd Team this year.

Broken records, impressive winning percentage; it’s a shame it had to end for the volleyball team. With the conclusion of the 2006 season, they can only continue to push hard and build on their success.

Mailing address: Marietta College Box A-20, Marietta, Ohio 45750-4000
Physical address: McKinney Media Center, 508 Putnam St, Marietta, Ohio
Phone: (740) 376-4555
E-mail: marc@marietta.edu