Muskingum and Marietta dueled in a four-set thriller on Wednesday night in a raucous Steele Center for Muskie Pride night. The instant classic ended in four sets with the Pioneers escaping New Concord with the 3-1 win (25-20, 25-22, 17-25, 29-27).

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (12-4 Overall, 1-2 OAC), Marietta (14-4 Overall, 2-1 OAC)
• Location: Anne C. Steele Center

Notables

• The match was promoted as a Muskingum Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Muskie Pride Game presented by Buffalo Wild Wings.

How it Happened

• After Muskingum took a quick 6-1 lead in the opening frame, Marietta stormed back and tied the score at 8-8.
• After both teams traded the lead for the middle part of the set, the score was once again tied at 20 apiece. Marietta used a 5-0 run to close out the set 25-20.
• Set two saw the Muskies again jump out to a quick lead, this time by a score of 10-6.
• Despite the early momentum, Marietta was able to claw back and tie the score at 18-18.
• Marietta proceeded to use a 7-4 run to close out the frame and claim the set by a score of 25-22.
• Not backing down, Muskingum put together a dominant third frame. The Muskies jumped out to a quick 8-3 lead and didn't look back, winning the set 25-17.
• The fourth set saw both teams have leads that evaporated. The frame featured seven ties and eight lead changes, with both teams having multiple set points. Marietta finally closed out the match with an intense 29-27 win. 

Inside the Numbers

• Muskingum was led by junior Lexie Huck with 14 kills, while junior Khloe Taylor added 13 kills.
• Senior Emma Conrad dished out a team-high 41 assists and 17 digs, while freshman Quinn Horn added 12 kills and 12 assists.
• Junior Raegan Flood notched eight kills and five digs, while senior Emma Dunham recorded five kills.
• Senior Gracie Collins led the Muskies with 22 digs, while freshman Alana Alexander added 17 digs.
• As a team, Muskingum totaled 55 kills, 51 assists, 84 digs, and six service aces.
• Maggie Fellers led the Pioneers with 20 kills, while Jullian Fellers added 19 spikes.
• Emily Spitler directed the attack with 48 assists.
• Marietta ended the outing with 58 kills, 52 assists, 86 digs, and six service aces.

Up Next

• Muskingum will be back in action on Friday, October 7, when they host Carnegie Mellon in nonconference action. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. inside the Anne C. Steele Center.
• Fans can secure their tickets ahead of the game or on-site by purchasing them online at the Fighting Muskies' official ticketing page found at fightingmuskies.com/athletics/tickets or via the HomeTown Ticketing mobile app available through the App Store or Google Play. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students, and children 5-and-under are free.