Warriors battle at league tourney; take sixth
Sports reporter
As if they needed to be reminded how tough the Mid-Central Activities Association is.
Marion High School Warriors took sixth place Saturday at the 12-team league meet in Hoisington.
The Warriors hung tough in a tournament filled with great athletes. They finished with a 2-3 record, falling to rival Hillsboro in the fifth-place game.
MHS started the tournament and season well with a two-game whipping of Wichita Collegiate, 25-13 and 25-22.
Senior Toni Gordon led the Warriors with six kills and junior Erin Richmond set the pace with eight assists.
In the second game of pool play Marion drew rival Hillsboro. Just like it did in sub-state one year ago, the Warriors dropped a tough three-game match, 22-25, 25-23, and 13-25.
Senior Allie Maddox led with three kills and senior Megan Hudson matched Richmond with eight assists.
The Warriors finished second in pool play and matched-up against Hoisington in bracket play.
Unlike last year in the league tournament, MHS fell to the Cardinals in two games, 25-12 and 25-20.
MHS bounced back with a hard-fought victory against Smoky Valley, 25-27, 25-21, and 25-12.
Gordon dominated with 12 kills, while Richmond recorded a career-high 18 assists.
MHS once again drew nemesis Hillsboro in the fifth-place game. Unfortunately for the Warriors they ran out of gas, as the Trojans handled Marion easily, 25-17 and 25-19.
Gordon led Marion with 23 kills and Richmond was the team-leader in assists with 26.
MHS will continue its season Tuesday with a 5 p.m. quad at Sterling.
