The Marion volleyball squad defeated the hosts before losing to Smoky Valley during a triangular at Sterling on Tuesday.

“We played very well, we were very aggressive at the net, having great hits from Kayley Heerey and Julia Zeiner along with great sets from Lindsay Hett,” coach Jim Versch said of the team’s 25-17, 25-14 win over Sterling.

Of the defeat (25-13, 19-25, 17-25) against Smoky Valley, Versch said: “The squad really exhibited great teamwork and became very scrappy picking up most hits or freeballs, even though we lost the match.

“In the first game, we played real well, talking on all balls, playing like a team and staying aggressive,” he added. “But we became less aggressive in the last two games and did not adjust to their hitting strategy.

“We could and should beat Smoky Valley,” he said. “We need to learn how to finish a match.”

In a previous loss to the Vikings, Marion extended both games before losing 25-27, 25-27.

Coming—The Warriors (3-16) visited Halstead (7-14) for matches against Hillsboro (13-3) and Collegiate (7-11) on Tuesday. Marion hosts a quadrangular Oct. 9.

Marion will host a junior varsity tournament featuring Haven, Hillsboro, Remington, Abilene, Wichita Sunrise, Nickerson and Herington. Pool play will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The Marion cross country teams fared well at Council Grove Thursday, with the boys placing second and the girls placing third.

Running in a field of 66 entrants, the Marion boys were led by Ryan Jones, who placed second in a personal-best time of 18 minutes, 12 seconds. He finished three seconds behind the top finisher.

He was followed by Louis Holt (7th, 18:52), Elliot Hett (11th, 19:05), Isaac Hett (15th, 19:21), Corey Seacat (33rd, 20:32), Brandon Meierhoff (35th, 20:34) and Michael Kirkpatrick (49th, 22:22).

“A lot of the boys dropped 30 seconds off their time,” coach Bethany Carlson said. “That was very exciting.”

In the girls’ race, Camille Christensen placed sixth among 60 runners in 18:36. She was followed by Amanda Richmond (16th, 19:30), Tacy Taylor (17th, 19:36), Jaclyn Deforest (20th, 19:49), Brooke Johnson (33rd, 20:55), Bridgett Lundy (37th, 21:09) and Lucy Collett (48th, 22:20).

Coming—Marion travels to Chapman for its next race. The varsity is scheduled to run at 4 p.m.

Peabody-Burns

The Warriors went to Remington looking to exact a pound of flesh for the streak-ending loss the Broncos inflicted a season ago, but came away with 42-6 loss on Friday night.

Peabody-Burns

Aaron Topham led the Warrior boys to a first place finish in a field with Class 3A and 4A competitors Thursday at Hal­stead.