Staff writer
The Marion High School volleyball team dropped consecutive games to Hillsboro, 25-19 and 26-24, Thursday even after holding a 24-21 lead near the end of the second game.
The Warriors then lost the first game against Southeast of Saline, 25-16.
Then, things turned around.
The Warriors opened up a 6-0 lead to start the second game against SES with accurate serving and strong front line play. Head coach Jim Versch said the Warriors passing improved throughout the night, which allowed Marion to control the ball and get the Warrior hitters involved.
“We have the hitters if we can get them involved,” Versch said.
The Warriors won the match against SES with 25-18 and 26-24 wins. They then defeated Moundridge, 25-22 and 26-24.
Briana Hall, Annie Whitaker, Whitney Gordon, and Raelene Allen all had several kills in matches against SES and Moundridge.
Gordon made her presence felt at the net with several blocks in the Warriors final two matches.
“I think she stepped up a little bit,” Versch said of Gordon.
Whitaker’s play was impressive to Versch.
“She had some awesome kills,” he said.
Versch cited Allen’s play as the most improved throughout the night. He said Allen has had to take on more responsibilities this season after primarily seeing time with the junior varsity team last year.
While the Warrior hitters were getting into a groove, freshman Katey Ehrlich was continuing her strong serving. Ehrlich had a string of six consecutive serves in the first game against Hillsboro, allowing the Warriors to get back into the game. She was able to put together serving streaks in every match the Warriors played.
Ehrlich did not play in losses to Hoisington, 25-15 and 25-14, and Smoky Valley, 25-22 and 25-22 Aug. 31. Versch thought Ehrlich needed time to adjust to a new level of play.
“It’s a whole different game from junior high to high school,” he said.
He was looking to mix up the Warrior lineup Tuesday and he thought Ehrlich might be prepared to start in front of the home crowd. She did not disappoint.
“She didn’t look nervous at all,” Versch said.
He said the team has embraced Ehrlich from the beginning.
“They could have been mean girls about it,” he said.
The Warriors are now 2-3 on the season, but Versch believes that the close victories against SES and Moundridge will be building blocks for the rest of the season.
“You build on all these,” Versch said. “Remember Moundridge.”