The Marietta College volleyball team clinched the Ohio Athletic Conference regular season title with a win over Wilmington Friday at Ban Johnson Arena. (Photo by Matthew Siegler)

The Marietta College volleyball team played in their regular season conference finale as they welcomed in Wilmington to the Ban Johnson Arena Friday.

The 15th-ranked Pioneers were able to defeat the Quakers in straight sets, 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-19), and with the win, Marietta was able to clinch the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Ohio Athletic Conference tournament for the second consecutive season. The Pioneers improve to 16-6 overall and 8-1 in Ohio Athletic Conference play, and with the loss the Quakers fall to 3-22 overall and 0-8 in OAC action.

Before the matchup began, the Pioneers celebrated their five seniors: Keira Shannon, Halee Williams, Hallie Habermehl, Emory Spitler, and Jillian Fellers.

“Tonight was a great way to celebrate the seniors,” said Marietta head coach Kristy Anderson. “Nothing beats the great energy in the Banjo and clinching the OAC Championship!”

In the first set, Wilmington enjoyed a two-point lead at 8-6, but Fellers scored two straight kills to tie it up at 8-all. From that point on, the Pioneers took control. Shannon collected two consecutive service aces and Williams and AnnaBelle Hacker brought a pair of kills apiece to push the advantage to nine points. Wilmington clawed back as they attempted to close the gap, but Marietta still took it to set point, 24-15. The Quakers did not give up and took four straight, but Fellers ended the set with a kill and Marietta won set one, 25-19.

After both teams began set two tied at four, Shannon converted another pair of aces and Karly Launder brought a kill to give the Pioneers the lead. Later, the Pioneers took five straight points, all off of kills from Karley Allwood and Launder, to take a 13-6 lead. Marietta took full control a few possessions later as Fellers and Hacker scored another pair of kills apiece to put the lead at 19-12. Wilmington could not overcome the difference and Marietta would cruise to a set two win, 25-16.

The third set was close early, with both teams tied at 8-all, but the Pioneers began to distance themselves once again. Fellers scored three consecutive services aces and Emily Grant converted a pair of kills to give Marietta a 15-8 lead. After some traded possessions, the Pioneers closed out the action with kills from Spitler and Grant to secure the victory, 25-19.

The Marietta offense was led by Fellers with 13 kills and Hacker with 12 kills. Fellers also added four aces and 19 digs. Launder pitched in with nine kills. Spitler dished out 46 assists. Shannon led the defensive effort with a team high 23 digs and also led the Pioneers with five aces.

Marietta will travel to Wittenberg for a non-conference matchup Wednesday for their last regular season matchup, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

With tonight’s win, Marietta won its second consecutive OAC regular season championship and the No. 1 seed in the OAC Tournament, earning a first-round bye and securing home court advantage in the semi-finals and finals. The OAC volleyball tournament starts on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Marietta will play on Thursday, Nov. 13. If they win, they will play in the finals on Saturday, Nov. 15.