Marietta College’s Maggie Fellers (15) spikes the ball during Thursday’s Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals against John Carroll at Ban Johnson Arena. (Photo by Rebecca Wheeler)

The undefeated and No. 1-seeded Marietta College volleyball team welcomed in No. 4-seeded John Carroll University to a raucous Ban Johnson Arena Thursday in the semifinals of the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament. The Pioneers outlasted the Blue Streaks in every set and won 3-0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-23).

“Tonight’s environment in the Banjo was incredible and we fed off of it,” said Marietta head coach Kristy Newman. “We played as a unit tonight and I could not be more proud of that!”

John Carroll got off to a quick start with the help of Abbie Bednar as she supplied a trio of kills in the opening moments of set one. Later in the match, John Carroll got a pair of kills from Kendra Dziubinski and another pair from Bednar to take a 14-9 lead. The Pioneers begin to come back as Jillian Fellers brought a pair of kills and followed it with a pair of aces to cut the lead to 17-15. Mia Silva scored two consecutive kills to tie the score at 20. The Blue Streaks made a couple of attack errors to put them down by two late in the match, but took the serve back after an attack error from Emory Spitler. They then got two straight service aces to take the score to set point, causing the Pioneers to take a time out. When play resumed, the Pioneers got a kill from Jillian Fellers and Ella Boyer and then claimed the set off of an error by JCU. The Pioneers won set one, 26-24

The Pioneers opened the second set strong as they held an early 11-6 edge, but Bednar helped the Blues Streaks come back with a pair of kills. Natalie Glowe cut the lead to one with a kill but Boyer took the next play with a kill to put the score at 13-11. JCU could get no close than one point for the remainder of the set. Jillian Fellers closed out with another pair of kills and yet another ace to put the set out of reach and Marietta claimed set two, 25-20.

The Pioneers looked to be in control in set three as they jumped out to 7-2 advantage, fueled by consecutive kills from Sophie Evans. JCU, though, put a stop to that momentum and actually tied back up with a five-point rally. Later, the Pioneers extended the lead to four as Spitler scored an ace, Boyer provided another kill, and Maggie Fellers joined with Boyer for a spectacular block. The Blue Streaks came back yet again as Bednar converted a pair of kills, helping to tie it up at 14. JCU put some pressure on the Pioneers as they took a late lead. Glowe scored a trio of kills as John Carroll scored on six of the next eight possessions, pushing the score to 19-16.

Marietta took advantage of some late Blue Streak errors to vault back to a 22-21 lead and claimed the match as Maggie Fellers and Boyer closed out with kills. Marietta won the set 25-23.

The Pioneer offense was led by the Fellers sisters with 10 kills apiece. Boyer chipped in with nine kills. Jillian had a game-high five aces and Maggie led the team with five blocks. Spitler expertly distributed 41 assists and Keira Shannon led a stellar defensive effort finishing with 28 digs.

The Pioneers will next be in action this Saturday as they welcome in No. 2-seeded Otterbein University in the OAC Championship game. The Cardinals dispatched Mount Union 3-1 in the other semifinal to set up the matchup. Action is set to begin at 1 p.m.