Staff writer
The Marion Warriors volleyball team’s final match of the season Saturday went like many of the team’s losses this year, playing hard despite early deficits.
The Warriors entered their sub-state as a sixth-seed, paired against third-seeded Hesston, who entered the tournament with a 30-6 record.
Down 8-2 early, the Warriors scored on kills from Katey Ehrlich and Kaelyn Thierolf, and Hesston errors. Kelli Hess added a kill and a block, helping Marion come within two at 12-10.
Hesston soon after built a 7-point lead at 22-15, which the Warriors could not overcome, losing 25-19.
The next game began even worse for the Warriors, as the Swathers scored eight points before Marion got on the board.
The Warriors found themselves down 16-3 before they got going, scoring five in a row behind the service of Thierolf.
Marion came within 8 points multiple times, but could not generate the momentum needed to come back, losing 25-16.