By DAVID COLBURN

News editor

Pushed but victorious in three pool play matches, the Marion High Lady Warriors kicked into high gear in semifinal and final matches Saturday to win the Peabody-Burns volleyball tournament.

In the final against Solomon, Marion was seriously challenged just once in the second game, as the Lady Gorillas put together a streak to trail 13-12, prompting coach Brea Campbell to call a time out.

“They were clenching up,” Campbell said. “They just needed a minute to breathe. Since we were still ahead, it was the perfect time.”

Within minutes, the Lady Warriors had a comfortable 20-13 edge and cruised to the championship with a second 25-15 win over the Lady Gorillas.

The victory capped a perfect day for Marion, which went 8-0 in matches against Hartford, Central Burden, Chase County, and Wichita Classical School.

“It feels good,” senior Kourtney Hansen said. We played really well, so that was a plus, too, especially with this team (Solomon). They could hit what we hadn’t been seeing this entire day and we handled it well.”

Both Hansen and Campbell praised the contributions the team got from back row players.

“Courtney Herzet, man, she played her heart out,” Campbell said. “She got so many balls that I thought never in a million years she was going to be able to get. Sam Richmond, defensively she’s grown so much as a player. She’s not afraid to go after a hard-hit ball.”

Hansen agreed.

“They hustled their tails off,” she said. “They impressed me. They did really well.”

Herzet said the team stepped up its game from Friday’s scrimmage at the Sports and Aquatic Center.

“We improved so much,” she said. “The chemistry between us was so much better than last night.”

The Lady Warriors weren’t exactly businesslike as they swept through the tournament, but their celebrations during games were more subdued than some of their opponents. Campbell said that’s part of the nature of this particular team.

“Sometimes I want a little bit more excitement, but I know that’s just who they are,” she said. “Their brains are moving all the time. It’s like, ‘What am I going to do next?’ That’s exciting to see as a coach.”

Campbell wasn’t sure what to expect from her squad after just two weeks of practice, but gave them high marks for their championship performance.

“I loved what I saw,” Campbell said. “Every single team here gave us a run for our money. I saw so many positive things on defense, on hitting. The girls are clicking and that’s the most important part. We didn’t know what we were going to get out of this tournament, and I’m very excited for the rest of the season.”