Marion head volleyball coach Lisa Beasley sits back for a moment on a couch in her team's locker room on a late July afternoon. Beasley and longtime assistant coach Shayla Williams exchange a joke before making plans for practice that afternoon. Marion's dynamic volleyball duo has seen many things in their 21 years together heading the Patriot volleyball program, but even for seasoned coaches who have seen Marion evolve into a state power with three state titles and four state runners-up finishes, the 2022 season was one to remember. Following the graduation of nine seniors from the 2021 team that finished 27-2 to earn the outright 5A East title and ran to the state semifinals, expectations were tempered for the 2022 Patriots in the preseason. Some media members wondered if Marion could still pursue a league title and another deep playoff run, while others weren't sure if the Pats could even crack the state playoff field. Playing a difficult non-conference schedule of Tennessee contenders and in-state powers, Marion fell to 6-6 overall following a shocking home loss to Paragould in the middle of September. But the Pats refused to fold, winning eight of their final 10 conference matches to finish as league runners-up and the No. 2 seed in the state tournament. Marion earned its 20th victory when it swept old rival Mountain Home in the opening round of the state tournament before succumbing to eventual state champion Benton in the quarterfinals. “I guess we did exceed some expectations,” said Beasley. “I think it's important always to have high expectations and maintain that standard, so in that sense, we always expect a lot of ourselves every year. Last year was so much fun as coaches because our group gelled together so well and so quickly. Our three seniors (Kiah Rucker, Meredith Williams, and Madison Allison) stepped up in a major way and became leaders when we needed them the most, and our younger players all jumped in and showed that they could play on their own. Overall, it was just a tremendous amount of fun because of how far we came in a short amount of time.” The 2023 season continues the trend of odd storylines as this year's club does not have a single senior on its roster, a first in program history. “Senior Night will look a little different this year,” said Beasley. “It'll be strange, but more so it's exciting because we get to keep this group together for two years now.” Beasley's group includes a ton of returning production from a season ago despite rostering no seniors this fall. “Most of our returning players can play all the way around,” said the coach. “That helps how we want to play and build our rotations.” Versatile juniors Maggie Miller and Alexa Shinabery return for their third varsity seasons and “that's a great thing,” said Beasley. “We will count on them a ton this year, but we know they're up to it.” Miller earned all-conference, all-state honorable mention, and all-state tournament team honors in 2022 when she paced the club with 826 assists, the third-most in a single season in school history. The well-rounded Miller logged 299 digs, served 44 aces, and racked up 38 kills as a sophomore before she spent her off-season playing club ball for the Memphis Juniors, which finished in third place at nationals in July in Chicago. Shinabery produced a fine 2022 season, her first as a starter. The junior ranked fourth on the team in digs (288) a season ago, when she finished fifth in kills (113) to earn all-conference honorable mention honors. She also served 35 aces, good for second on the club. Juniors Kelsey Wright, Ashlynn Baggett, and Anna Wehrum take turns at outside and middle hitter, while setter Carley Key offers “beautiful hands,” said Beasley. “She's accurate and tough.” Junior Carlie Ann Cantrell earns reps as a defensive specialist on the back row. Last season, sophomore Kennedy Bullins became just the second Marion volleyball player to earn all-state honors as a freshman (Adrienne West, 1999). Bullins landed on the 2022 all-state team after ranking second on Marion's stat sheet in kills (236), and blocks (11), third in digs (296), and aces served (28). The sophomore produced an impressive summer playing club ball and “she's in beast mode right now since school started,” said Beasley. “The sky really is the limit for her because she works so hard, she's super gifted, and she's so humble. She's the total package.” Sophomore Kaitlyn Austin started every game last year at libero, showcasing rare defensive chops, while amassing a team-high 468 digs, handing out 50 assists, and serving 20 aces. Austin shifted during the off-season from libero to outside hitter and a defensive specialist. The move should take advantage of her athleticism because “she gets better and better every time she hits the floor,” said the coach. “She could have played all the way around last year. She's our most vocal player. She's going to take off this year.” Sophomore Taylor Chamness cracked Marion's rotation last fall and appeared in every game. The lefty-swinging Chamness racked up 172 digs in 2022 when she served 22 aces and registered 11 kills. Chamness pairs defensive versatility with deft hands and “she can absolutely rip the ball down the line,” said Beasley. “She's high-energy and a joy to be around.” Sophomore Aynslee Coad appeared in more than half the varsity matches a season ago, showing great promise hitting and blocking at the net, but her 2023 season is in question following an off-season knee injury. Sophomores Abbigale Simmons, Reese Goodwin, and Abby Jackson and freshman Kendall Brown comprised most of the 24-5 junior high regular-season and district tournament champion's lineup a season ago, and each will factor in for the varsity in 2023. Simmons impressed coaches during the off-season and summer workouts as the team's libero, where she starred in junior high. Goodwin and Jackson offer athleticism and hitting ability on the outside, while Brown will play middle and outside hitter with “incredible ability,” said Beasley. “She's stepped in here with us from day one. There's been a very little learning curve if any so far.” Sophomore Addison Weimer prowls the back row with superior defensive instincts and impressive passing skills. Intelligent sophomore Graci Truitt serves as the team's manager in 2023.