The Marion volleyball team celebrated before and after their match on Tuesday night against Greene County Tech at 3M Transit Arena. Prior to the first set, the team honored Madison Allison, Cheyenne Kight, Kiah Rucker, and Meredith Williams for Senior Night. Immediately following the third set, the team celebrated a bid to the Class 5A state tournament in Greenbrier, which Marion earned by topping Tech in straight sets (25-21, 25-19, and 26-24). Marion improves to 16-9 overall and 9-3 in the 5A East with the win over Tech, and the Patriots remain very much alive for the No. 2 seed in the state tournament. The Patriots currently reside in second place in the conference standings, one game ahead of Batesville, and two games clear of Tech. Marion's last two conference games are Thursday at home against Searcy and Tuesday, October 18 at Batesville. “I'm just super thrilled for our team,” said Marion coach Lisa Beasley. “Tonight was a really great effort. We recovered for our blockers well and served it tough. It was just a really good win for us.” Marion's seniors led the way against Greene County Tech (9-9, 7-5) with Rucker recording team-highs in kills (15) and blocks (two). Allison registered seven kills, while Williams finished with three digs, two kills, and a block. “Those girls are amazing,” said Beasley. “All four of them have really taken ownership of this team this year. All of them have stepped up into leadership roles, which isn't easy. They're rock solid on and off the court. They've taken the younger girls under their wings and guided them. On the court, they've all elevated their play in so many ways. They've sure made this year a lot of fun.” After graduating nine seniors from last year's 27-2 outright conference championship and state semifinalist outfit, some weren't sure what to expect from the 2022 Patriots with just one returning all-conference player (Rucker), with Allison the only other player earning extensive varsity reps. After a home loss to league rival Paragould dropped the Pats to 6-6 overall, Marion took flight, embarking on a six-game winning streak, and winning 10 of its last 13 outings. Marion's three losses in that stretch came against defending Class 4A runners-up and this year's 4A title favorite Brookland twice, and once to perennial state power Valley View. “These girls never gave up or gave in, they just went to work every day and made it work,” explained Beasley. “They've been taking care of business and playing good ball.” Marion continued to play good ball on Tuesday night against Greene County Tech, but it took a minute. The visiting Eagles scored eight of the first 11 points as Marion tried to find its footing. The Patriots finally did so when Rucker recorded a kill, and Kaitlyn Austin delivered to ace to move Marion within 8-6. Marion got within 16-15 late in the first set when sophomore Maggie Miller set Rucker for a kill, and delivered an ace just before Rucker blocked a Tech kill attempt, and when Allison logged a kill, Marion led 17-16, forcing an Eagle timeout. With the set tied at 19, Miller sent a ball over the net that the Eagle defense thought was going out but landed in bounds for a 20-19 Marion lead. Tech tied the set at 21, but Miller set Alexa Shinabery for a kill before a pair of Tech errors gave Marion set point, which the Pats cashed in when Williams blocked a kill for a four-point victory in the opener. The hosts never trailed in the second set, scoring the first four points before Tech three times tied the set in the early going. Marion pushed ahead 11-10 following a Williams kill, and the Pats would never trail again. Kills from Rucker and Miller pushed the Pats in front 17-12 to force a Tech timeout. The Eagles climbed within 20-18 late in the set, but Rucker played closer, recording kills for three consecutive Marion points, and four of the last five, to guide Marion to a 25-19 second-set victory. Marion freshman Kennedy Bullins sparked Marion in the third set with back-to-back kills for a 3-1 lead, but Tech responded by scoring seven of the next eight points for an 8-4 lead. That's when Allison took center stage, registering three straight kills to get Marion within a point, and the Pats evened the score at 11 when Shinabery served an ace. Bullins and Rucker logged kills for a 16-13 Marion lead that forced an Eagle timeout, and Marion led 22-18 before Tech recorded a kill and an ace to force a Patriot timeout. The Eagles got even at 24, but Miller found Rucker for a kill before Tech sent a ball out on the final play as Marion earned a dramatic 26-24 win in the third set to earn its ninth conference win. Miller handed out a team-high 32 assists to go along with 16 digs, and two aces. Shinabery finished with nine digs, five kills, and an ace. Austin racked up a team-high 22 digs and an ace. Bullins amassed 10 kills, nine digs, and an ace. Taylor Chamness recorded 13 digs. WHAT'S NEXT? Marion hosts Searcy on Thursday at 3M Transit Arena. That contest will begin at 4:30 with a junior varsity match, followed by the varsity. The Patriots travel on Tuesday to Batesville. Both contests will be broadcast live on MarionPatriots.com and on the Marion Patriots Activities Network mobile app. 5A EAST STANDINGS TEAM CONF. RECORD Valley View 12-0 Marion 9-3 Batesville 8-4 Greene Co. Tech 7-5 Paragould 6-6 Nettleton 3-9 West Memphis 3-9 Searcy 0-12