Lisa Beasley has seen a lot as the head volleyball coach at Marion High School, but even the 2023 season was one for the history books. For starters, last year's Patriots did not have a senior on the roster for what is believed to be the first time since the program's inception in 1996. Marion was right at home inside 3M Transit Arena last fall, finishing 8-1 on its home court after winning the last eight matches in succession. Beasley's Patriots started 3-3 a season ago and were 6-4 following a home loss to Wynne on August 28. The night after the Wynne contest, Marion outlasted defending state runner-up Valley View in five sets, erasing a late deficit in the decisive fifth set. That sparked a 10-game unbeaten run for Marion in which the Patriots gained confidence, and when Marion slipped Valley View again on September 26, the Pats were in firm control of the 5A East race. As the No. 1 playoff seed from the 5A East, Marion downed Sylvan Hills in three sets in the opening round of the state tournament at Searcy before Greenwood eliminated the Pats in the quarterfinals before the Bulldogs pushed state champion Benton to five sets in the state final. “Last year was a phenomenal season,” said Beasley. “Going 14-0 in this league seems impossible, so that's a huge accomplishment. We just made a ton of amazing memories last year, we had so much fun as kids and coaches. It was just a ton of fun the whole time.” As much fun as 2023 proved to be, 2024 could be even more so. Marion returns virtually all of its production from a season ago, including the 11 players who played the most varsity minutes. The bevy of returners, combined with a huge group of sophomores who played a part in earning Marion Junior High district regular-season and tournament titles the past two years have created a competitive off-season atmosphere, to say the least. “The talent level no matter how we split the teams up is crazy,” said Beasley. “We have long, long rallies that last two minutes because neither team can put a ball down on either side.” In addition to the rising talent level, Marion also boasts 22 players on its varsity roster, all between grades 10 and 12. “We have been lucky that we have always had a lot of interest in our program, but this year in particular,” said Beasley. “It's probably the largest senior high roster we've ever had here, and it's probably the deepest at every position that we've been, and that's really exciting.” Marion has won the 5A East two of the past three seasons, and to make it three of four, Marion not only has to compete with the usual suspects such as Valley View, Paragould, Greene County Tech, Searcy, Nettleton, Batesville, and West Memphis, but one of the Pats' oldest rivals is back in the league for the first time since 2019 as Mountain Home returns to create a nine-team league and a 16-game conference schedule. “I feel like a league that was already really difficult got tougher,” said Beasley. “We have played Mountain Home more recently (won 3-0 in the opening round of the 2022 Class 5A state tournament in Greenbrier), but it's tough to go there, they're always well coached. It'll definitely be a challenge and it'll be different.” Seniors Maggie Miller, Alexa Shinabery, Carley Key, Kelsey Wright, and Anna Wehrum lead Marion into 2024, with Miller and Shinabery competing in their fourth varsity volleyball seasons. Miller earned all-state honors a season ago when she shattered Marion's all-time assists record. The senior setter committed in July to Itawamba Community College. The versatile Miller posted team-highs a season ago with 888 assists and 54 served aces, and she ranked third with 328 digs. Shinabery garnered all-conference honors a season ago as Marion's top utility player, rarely leaving the floor and playing every spot well. Shinabery racked up 261 digs in 2023, along with 173 kills, and she served 21 aces. “They're phenomenal kids, who will do anything,” said Beasley. “With us not having any seniors last year, they stepped up and became our seniors and took on that leadership role. They've kind of seen everything at this point and always seem to play well.” Wright and Key played in most of the matches a season ago and each enjoyed productive off-seasons. Look for Wright to focus on hitting this fall, while Key is a reliable setter. “Kelsey has come a long way with leadership this year, she isn't afraid to hold them accountable,” said Beasley. “Carley has great hands and has a great serve. She really gives us a lift there.” An injury prevented Wehrum from playing volleyball this season, but “she's still as invested as ever,” said Beasley. “She's taken on a whole new persona. She's done an amazing job for us, even though she isn't playing.” Juniors Kaitlyn Austin, Kennedy Bullins, Taylor Chamness, and Aynslee Coad enter their third varsity seasons this fall, while classmates Abbigale Simmons, Reese Goodwin, and Abby Jackson return after earning substantial playing time a year ago. The energetic Austin earned all-conference honors last year after turning in a stellar all-around season in which she tallied 351 digs, recorded 199 kills, and served 44 aces. Bullins seeks a third straight all-state selection this fall after pacing the Pats last fall in kills (371) and blocks (35), to go along with 129 digs and 29 aces served. Chamness stacked 221 digs and served 23 aces in 2023 and impressed coaches with strong play during summer workouts. Coad missed the 2023 season with a knee injury but stood out in June when she returned to the court. Simmons locked the team's starting libero position last summer and racked up a team-high 404 digs in 2023, while also serving 41 aces and handing out 58 assists. Goodwin, who earned all-conference honors in the spring for the soccer team, started almost every volleyball game last fall, registering 68 digs and 42 kills. Jackson, who earned All-5A East honors in the spring for the soccer team, rotated last year for the varsity team, appearing in most of the matches. “The junior group is huge, and they're so talented,” said Beasley. “They all bring us something a little different, and they all are so good in their roles.” The sophomores were promoted to the 2024 varsity team after helping the junior high volleyball program to a combined record of 40-9 in 2022 and 2023, with those two district tournament championships adding an exclamation mark on a brilliant two-year run. The 2024 Marion volleyball roster boasts 11 sophomores, including Kendall Brown, who earned all-league honors last season as a freshman on the varsity team after ranking second on the club with 250 kills and 50 blocks. Sophomore hitters Harper Doyle, Bren Sutton, Izzy Fenter, Marlee Williams, and Emma McKiness “can all go up and get it,” said Beasley. “They're in the right place and they can all swing and put it down.” Alli “Gator” Sharp, Annabelle White, and Mallorie Sharp “get to everything on the back row,” said Beasley. “They're extremely tough to get anything down.” Claire Brinkley and Kolbie Triplett, who was an all-conference outfielder for the softball team in the spring, proved to be stellar setters during summer drills. Marion hosts Valley View, Brookland, and Nettleton for its annual preseason jamboree on Thursday, August 22 at Fidelity Bank Arena, beginning at 5:00. The Pats officially open their 2024 campaign on Monday, August 26 with a non-conference road date at Wynne before hosting Beebe for a non-conference tilt on Tuesday, August 27 at 3M Transit Arena (the former volleyball gym located at Marion Math, Science, and Technology Magnet School). Marion's 5A East conference schedule opens on Thursday, August 29 against Greene County Tech. Every Marion conference match, and most non-conference tilts, will be broadcast live on MarionPatriots.com, on the Marion Patriots Activities Network YouTube channel, and on the MPAN mobile app.