Matched against Little River in the opener, the Warriors were without Lindsay Hett and lost 8-25, 14-25. Marion played Berean Academy next, losing 12-25, 10-25.
?Lack of communication and missing our serves marred our performance,? coach Jim Versch said.
Marion ended the day with a win over Centre (25-20, 25-21).
?We had three players really step up,? Versch said. ?(Setter) Austin Percell got the ball to our hitters, (middle hitter) Kayley Heerey had some monster hits along with some awesome blocks and (outside hitter) Julia Zeiner also came on strong connecting on some kills.
?It was a good way to end the day and a great building block,? he added.
At home Sept. 4, Marion lost to Hesston (16-25, 13-25) and Hillsboro (24-26, 21-25).
Ahead 23-21, Marion missed a serve. Play carried to 24-24, and a net fault plus a Hillsboro kill gave the Trojans the game.
?We could have shut down completely after a close lose,? Versch said. ?But we played well even though we lost.?
Versch continues to see potential and growth in the Warriors.
?I could see much improvement in teamwork, setting and passing?but we still have plenty of fundamentals to work on.?
Coming?Marion (1-9) played at Ellinwood on Tuesday in a triangular that included Smoky Valley. Marion hosts its home tournament Saturday at 9 a.m.
