NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Washington & Jefferson College women's volleyball team (5-4) opened the Muskingum Tournament with two losses to No. 16 ranked Marietta (6-1) and Mount St. Joseph (5-5).
 
W&J 0, #15 Marietta 3 (11-25, 16-25, 20-25)
Faith Fetsko (Venetia, Pa./South Park) led the team offensively with 10 kills and six digs. Brielle Moorhouse (East Liberty, Ohio/Benjamin Logan) led the setting room with 21 assists. Piper McFarland (West Mifflin, Pa./Cornerstone Preparatory Academy) posted a team high in digs with 14.
 
The Pioneers jumped ahead of the Presidents quickly in the opening set, taking a swift 25-11 victory. A 13-1 lead to kick off the set granted the Pioneers a hot start to the invitational.
 
The second set followed suit, as Marietta gained a 17-6 lead. The Presidents fought back through service aces from Jordan Sirianni (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) along with kills by Anna Boikov (Wilmore, Ky./West Jessamine) and Fetsko.
 
Despite beginning the third set with a 3-1 advantage off kills from Fetsko and Abby Oldham (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell), the Pioneers responded and took a 12-8 lead. W&J stuck with Marietta down the stretch, keeping within a few points, to no avail as they dropped the third set 25-20.
 
W&J 0, Mount St. Joseph 3 (12-25, 15-25, 20-25)
Oldham led the Presidents offensively in the second game of the Muskingum Invitational with seven kills and one total block. Moorhouse added 14 assists and 13 digs to her nights totals.
 
Despite going up 9-3, the Presidents dropped 20-consecutive points to surrender a 23-9 lead following a Lions timeout.
 
The Presidents found some momentum in the second set through freshmen Lola Jacobs (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) and Sydney Allen (Washington, Pa./Trinity) who each compiled kills in the set before falling 25-15.
 
W&J owned an early 4-3 lead in the final set and battled through multiple lead changes down the stretch. Kills from Cali Dagen (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) and Oldham kept the Presidents within striking distance before falling, 25-20.
 
The Presidents return to invitational play on Saturday (Sept. 13) as they will face Muskingum and John Carroll. The match against the host Fighting Muskies is set for a 10:00 a.m. start.