Warriors take third at Marion Spikefest

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 18 September 2012 14:33

Warrior Katey Ehrlich sets the ball during Saturday’s sixth annual Marion Spikefest tournament. Ehrlich was selected to First Team All-Tournament, recording 35 assists and 12 kills.

The Marion volleyball team followed a 1-2 outing at their home triangular with a third-place finish at the Marion Spike­fest tournament Saturday.

The Warriors are now 9-11 for the season. Sedgwick won the tournament, followed by Halstead.

“I thought the girls came to play,” coach Deanna Thierolf said. “They set the tone with the very first match against Eureka and played well all day.”

Marion setter/hitter Katey Ehrlich was named to the all-tournament first team for her performance, which included 35 assists and 12 kills.

Marion Spikefest—Marion defeated Eureka in its first outing of the day, 25-18, 25-18.

The Warriors then lost to Halstead in the next match, 19-25, 23-25, faltering in the first game but rallying in the second before falling just short of victory.

Marion defeated Canton-Galva in the final match of pool play, 25-13, 22-25, 25-8.

In the semifinals, the Warriors drew Sedgwick, one of the top-ranked teams in the state and the winner of the other pool. Marion lost to the Cardinals, 18-25, 13-25.

The Warriors rallied in the third-place match to defeat Berean Academy, 25-12, 25-12.

“We played Sedgwick better than the score shows,” coach Deanna Thierolf said. “We beat Berean Academy, who we had lost to the week before, so I was very pleased. It was nice to end our day with a win and third-place plaque.”

In addition to Katey Ehrlich’s 35 assists and 12 kills, Kirsten Hansen added 27 assists.

“I thought (Ehrlich and Hansen) played well all day, giving our hitter opportunities,” coach Thierolf said.

Briana Hall record 30 kills for MHS, followed by Kaelyn Thierolf with 15 and Ehrlich and Montana Percell with six.

Marion triangular—Marion had its work cut out when the Warriors took the floor Sept. 11 against some tough opponents.

Bennington came into the match with a 9-3 record. Marion won the first game, 25-19, but had to battle for the second victory in overtime, 26-24.

The Warriors then lost their next two matches, falling to Ell-Saline (15-25, 22-25), a team entering the triangular with a 12-1 record, and regional powerhouse Sedgwick (25-16, 25-17), who remained undefeated at 16-0.

“The girls played well against really good teams,” coach Deanna Theirolf said. “I was glad to get a win against Ben­nington tonight. That was encouraging.”

Coming—The Warriors are scheduled to travel to Berean Academy Sept. 18.