Sports
Pioneers Split First Day Of Depauw Invitational
By: Kellen Becoats
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The Marietta College volleyball team split two games at the Depauw Invitational Friday, winning its first match against Olivet College in five sets and losing to host Depauw University in four sets.
In the first match, the Pioneers (5-6) exchanged games with the Olivet Comets (2-9) losing the first and third set by identical scores before rebounding to dominate the last set, sealing the match and grabbing their fifth win of the season 21-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22, 15-6.
Marietta played well offensively averaging a .278 team kill percentage and smashing an aggregate 62 kills. Offensively, sophomore right side hitter Keri Horton shined, commanding a team high 16 kills, an ace and .324 kill percentage while sophomore outside hitter Kennedy Clyde added 14 kills, an ace and a .375 kill percentage. Once again, junior setter Laura Mauer showed her ability to set up her teammates contributing 56 assists.
The second match was a different story, the Depauw Tigers (7-1) were out for blood from the first set. The Pioneers were fresh off their five-set win and looked tired against a rested Tigers team. Their exhaustion showed, as Depauw took three out of four sets 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 25-17.
Compared to the first game, Marietta’s stats were less than impressive, posting a collective .131 kills percentage and 42 kills while also committing 24 errors.
Individually, middle blocker Rachel Hackenberg stood out with 10 kills and a .172 kill percentage. Mauer was a major bright spot, posting 39 assists and a 1.00 kill percentage. Defensively, Horton and middle blocker Chloe Jansen each contributed 5 blocks.
The Pioneers look to finish the tournament strong with games against Concordia University Chicago at 10 a.m. and Trine University at 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14.