Staff writer
Marion fought valiantly against Hillsboro Saturday in Sedgwick but ended up falling in straight sets to the Trojans 25-19, 25-19.
The Warriors defeated Southeast of Saline in their first match of the day 25-3 and 25-13 and Marion Head Coach Jim Versch said that the Warriors were playing some of their best volleyball of the year before they ran into the freight train that is Dakota Kaufman.
“We were firing on all cylinders and everyone was playing well — we were extremely aggressive,” Versch said. “Dakota Kaufman played extremely well in this match. I think no one in the state could stop her.”
Versch was most impressed with the play of his senior hybrid setter/hitter Lindsay Hett.
“Some kids will play it safe, but Lindsay really picked up her game,” he said. “She did not want the season to end.”
Unfortunately the Warriors 25-11 season did come to its conclusion against the state-bound Trojans. The season marked a complete regeneration for Marion volleyball.
In Hett, Julia Zeiner, and Kayley Heerey’s freshman year the team went 1-27, and this year’s losses are a bit deceiving. Marion lost four matches to state-bound Hillsboro and four matches to 35-1, state-bound Wichita Collegiate.
Versch said that he saw improvement in every one of his players.
“Julia Zeiner continued to push herself daily in practice, becoming the team leader in many stat categories. Lindsay Hett developed into a great setter, hitter, and team leader. Kayley Heerey developed a great middle hitter/blocker mentality, very aggressive at the net.
“I saw improvement in each player not only seniors but underclassmen overall. Whitney Gordon went from 50 kills overall last year to second place in kills this year with 226. Chassidy Carlson has developed into a competitive setter and right-side hitter.
“With some help from some of this year’s successful JV squad, we should continue to do well.”
year-end stats
Julia Zeiner: kills — 308, aces — 43, solo blocks — 14, points — 368.5
Lindsay Hett: kills — 113, aces — 47, set assists — 381, blocks — 8, points — 174.5
Kathy Goering: kills — 33, aces — 31, points — 64.5
Kayley Heerey: kills — 179, aces — 30, blocks — 31, points — 248
Chassidy Carlson: set assists — 342, aces — 26, points — 60.5
Kristen Steinborn: aces — 8, points — 20
Whitney Gordon: kills — 226, aces — 17, blocks — 37, points — 283.5