Fillies cruise in state opener
Marian’s Alivia Karchner (33) and Jasmine Mooney (21) go up to block an attack by Canton’s Hailey Wesneski. RON GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS.
MINERSVILLE – No sweat.
The undefeated Marian volleyball team, coming off several grueling five-set victories on its way to District 11 and Schuylkill League championships, was back in cruise control on Tuesday.
The Fillies ran roughshod over Canton in the opening round of the PIAA Class 1A state tournament, rolling to a 25-8, 25-16, 25-22 victory.
“If this is what this tournament has to offer, then it’s a shame that one of the top-ranked teams in the state isn’t here,” said Marian coach Dr. John Fallabel, referring to Marian’s District 11 final opponent Nativity. “Teams like Canton and Halifax are in the state tournament, while Nativity sits at home … come on.”
District 4 champion Canton, which finished the season with a 9-9 record, certainly was overmatched and overwhelmed by the top 1A team in the state.
The Fillies (21-0) breezed in the opening set, and then put the motor in neutral and coasted in the next two sets.
“I was just glad that our kids got to experience this,” said Canton coach Sheila Wesneski, before departing on a three-hour bus ride home on a snowy election night. “We’re a young team. We don’t have a senior, and to play against a program like this will make us better.”
Although this Canton team was still a year or two away from being competitive on the state level, Fallabel was well aware of the program’s history.
“They played us back when I was an assistant coach,” said Fallabel. “They were good when we played them in the state finals back when it was pool play. So yes, they do have some history. But this season, there are a lot of other teams that belong in this tournament instead of them.”
The Fillies were like thunder and lightning blasting out of the gate to take leads of 10-2, 13-4 in the first set.
“You never want to take a team for granted,” said Marian senior middle hitter Elena Beckett. “You have to respect them and we had to play our game and not worry about what they were like.”
“Elena played a great match. She’s been such a spark plug,” praised Fallabel. “I mean she just has gotten better and better with each game.”
After the initial set, the Fillies never did seem to push the pedal to the medal. They did what was necessary to sweep the three-game set.
After a 9-9 tie in the second set, Marian shoved off the Northern Tier school, taking a 24-13 lead before eventually salting away the set win on a service error.
The best challenge of the night by the visitors turned into the final set.
Canton had its only lead the entire evening early in the third as it jumped ahead 5-4. After falling behind 20-9 in the set, the Warriors made a respectable charge, coming all the way back to within 24-22 before a service error ended things.
“We won in three and weren’t really taxed at all,” said Fallabel. “Our coaches on the sideline were saying this was the best team effort of the year. We played well, and that’s important. It was a good night. It was a good team win.”
NUMBERS AND MORE … Jasmine Mooney again led Marian with 11 kills, while Carly Kosciolek added seven. Giana Agosti had another superb night with 23 assists.
FEELING AT HOME … Fallabel thinks the Minersville gym is a perfect venue for volleyball. He feels the league should consider using this facility as the championship venue.
COUNT DOWN … The Fillies need two more wins to advance to the state finals. Marian will face District 1 champion Sacred Heart on Saturday in the state quarterfinals.
