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MHS volleyball season ends

Sports reporter

After recording two victories in its final three regular season matches Oct. 16, the Marion High School Warriors headed into the Southeast of Saline 3A regional Saturday with an 8-22 record and seeded seventh.

That meant a date with former number one ranked Hoisington, who came into the match with a 32-4 record.

The Warriors had played the Cardinals close a few weeks ago at home, but knew Saturday they would be a tough opponent.

"We felt a bit of confidence because Hoisington had lost two of its last three matches," MHS head coach Jim Versch said. "We actually played with them in the first match and we were ahead at various points."

Versch said the Cardinals defense was incredible, turning usual kills by sophomore-hard hitters Julia Zeiner and Kayley Heerey, into digs that eventually led to points.

Even so, the Warriors hung around, but ended up losing 25-19.

"After the letdown of the first-game loss, we never seemed to rebound," Versch said.

The second game wasn't as close, as HHS won 25-15, ending the Warriors' season at 8-23.

Although it wasn't the season the team was striving for, it did win seven more matches than the 2006 season.

"It was a disappointing way to end the season, but the future of MHS volleyball looks very bright," Versch said.

The team graduates six seniors, but will have starters Heerey, Zeiner, and setter Lindsay Hett back for their junior seasons in 2008.

"With the addition of a few key players this team should be very strong in the league next year," Versch said. "We are pushing: All the way to state in 2008. Marion volleyball is on the rise."

Lyons quad

The Warriors ended the season Oct. 16 with two victories at the Lyons quad.

After falling to Haven in the first match, 25-17 and 25-18, MHS bounced back to defeat Lyons and Halstead.

They defeated the Lions 29-27, 25-18 in a match directly following the Haven loss.

Heerey and Zeiner led the offensive attack according to Versch, and Kristen Waner kept the Lions on their heels with good blocking at the net.

Versch said Heerey's jump-serve, which is rare even in some college matches, was a big difference.

"It was a major factor in the second and third match," Versch said after Heerey struggled to land it in the first match.

The third match lasted just two games as Marion defeated Halstead for the second time in two weeks, 25-19, 25-23.

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