Marion Junior High head volleyball coach Erin Neeley knew that she would have a strong team this team, even at the end of the 2022 season. After all, several of her 12 freshmen played serious minutes last season, and that club finished 19-5, winning the conference regular-season and tournament title. Neeley's vision became reality in the team's traditional benefit scrimmage to kick off the 2023 season, when her junior Patriots topped state volleyball powers Valley View and Brookland. Indeed, Marion started hot and never really cooled off in 2023, rolling to a 21-4 overall record, and repeating as conference regular-season champs with a flawless 10-0 mark. The Pats took it up a notch in the playoffs, overwhelming Jonesboro MacArthur (25-8 and 25-19) and Jonesboro Annie Camp (25-13 and 25-19) in straight sets to earn a second consecutive conference tournament title. “I'm really proud of our team, but none of this really surprised me,” said Neeley, who starred as a high school player at Jonesboro Westside and as a college libero at Arkansas State. “As a group, these girls work really hard and love the game. With so many of them coming back from last year, you knew that the odds of us making another run were pretty good, but that doesn't mean it was easy.” Freshmen Bren Sutton and Marlee Williams paced the 2023 regular season and tournament champs in kills, while freshman Izzy Fenter and Williams topped the team chart in blocks. Freshmen Claire Brinkley and Kolbie Triplett led the way in assists, while eighth-grader Reese Jackson saw action and had good stretches as a setter. Freshmen Kayson McClain, Alli Sharp, and Annabelle White anchored the back line and led the team in digs, while Triplett served the most aces. Freshman Mallorie Sharp displayed an uncommon amount of court savvy while excelling in most areas. Freshmen Isabella Armstrong and Harper Doyle and eighth-graders Madelyn Hamrick, Isabelle Shirley, Emma McKinness, Taylor Ruffin, Kynlee Shaull, and Kenzlee Burch all played key roles for the conference champions. Marion's 10-0 mark in conference play meant season sweeps of league rivals West Memphis West and West Memphis Wonder, Jonesboro Annie Camp and Jonesboro MacArthur, and Mountain Home. MJHS did not drop a conference set all fall, and the Pats' only four losses this fall were non-conference affairs with Valley View. “We went out, and competed hard in every game, and every point,” said Neeley. “It was a really big deal for us to go out and maintain the standard of Marion volleyball.” As the conference tournament's top seed, Marion earned a first-round bye to the semifinal round in Jonesboro. The Pats blitzed MacArthur in the first set 25-8 before completing the sweep 25-19. Back in the championship round, Marion waxed Annie Camp 25-13 and 25-15, setting off a wild, raucous celebration on the court. “This group is loud, but in a very good way,” said Neeley. “They're uplifting, inspiring. They all have great attitudes, and they only want what's best for the team. They want to win and will do whatever it takes to win, and that's what they've done all year long.”