BENTONVILLE — Marion senior Taylor Sinclair let the tears flow freely while hoisting a championship trophy Saturday.
It was a different kind of emotion from last year, whenSinclair was a member of a team that lost to Benton in the final of the Class 6A state volleyball tournament. This time, Marion beat Van Buren 3-1 to capture itsfirst state title.
The Lady Patriots took the first game 25-17, lost the second game 25-20, then won the final two games by the same 25-20 score.
“Our teamwork was amazing this year,” Sinclair said. “We haven’t argued, haven’t had any drama, and we worked together all year as a family. I’m just so happy. I can’t put it into words.”
Van Buren (22-8) was mostly overmatched while facing a taller and more experienced team from Marion (24-3). The Lady Pointers led 22-10 in the second game, then had to hold on for a 25-20 victory.
After winning Game 3, Marion jumped ahead 18-9 in Game 4 before Van Buren attempted a rally. The Pointerettes got to within 24-20 but then lost on game point when a serve failed to clear the net.
“We knew when we started the season that Marion was the team to beat,” Van Buren Coach Stephanie Hill said. “Offensively, they’re a very strong team and we didn’t take care of business consistently. That second game, we jumped out on them pretty quickly but we kind of let up at the end. They got the momentum and it’s hard to fight back from that.”
Marion Coach Lisa Beasley knew her team was eager to play for the championship after the Lady Patriots beat Mountain Home 3-0 in the semifinal Thursday.
Marion drove across state to reach Saturday’s championship site and left with what they had been dreaming of all season. Senior Karla Norton was named the tournament’s MVP after leading the Lady Patriots with 17 kills.
“These girls decided last year after they lost in the finals they were going to come back and win,” Beasley said. “I never had a doubt in my mind they could do it because they are competitors and they work so hard.”
Sports, Pages 32 on 10/31/2010