SEARCY --- Marion finds itself leading the rest of the 5A East pack as the Patriots near the halfway point of the league schedule this fall, but a tricky road trip to play a resurgent Searcy Lion outfit loomed on Thursday evening.
Searcy is in sole possession of the fourth and final playoff spot from the 5A East and had its sights set on knocking Marion off to solidify its hold on that position.
Fortunately for Marion, the Pats put together a fine effort away from home to top the Lions in three sets (25-17, 25-14, 25-17) at Lion Arena.
Searcy proved up to the challenge of Marion early in the first set, however. The Lions led 11-9 following a pair of kills, but Marion (16-1 overall, 8-0 5A East) took the lead back behind a block point from Marlee Williams, a kill by Kendall Brown, and then a Williams kill.
Williams and Bren Sutton tallied kills to extend the run, and following an Annabelle White ace, Searcy called for time trailing 16-12.
After the stoppage, Sutton slammed another kill, while White served another ace, and when Marion’s lead hit 20-13, the Lions burned their last timeout, and Marion slammed the door on White’s third and final ace of the first set, good for an eight-point victory.
Marion led 8-7 in the second set when Williams registered a kill, followed by three aces in a row from Mallorie Sharp, the latter giving Marion a 12-7 lead to force a Searcy timeout.
A kill from Izzy Fenter gave Marion a double-digit lead (23-13), and a Williams kill helped the Pats ease to an 11-point decision in the second stanza.
Searcy got a fast start in the third set, taking a 4-2 lead, but Marion pushed back when Williams, Claire Brinkley and Taylor Ruffin scored kills, followed by a Williams ace, another Ruffin kill, and when Williams handed out an ace, the Pats led 8-4.
Brown came up with back-to-back kills, followed by kills from Williams and Sutton to stake Marion to a 16-9 lead as Searcy called for time.
The Lions got within four points three times down the stretch, including at 19-15, but Brown registered four kills late to help Marion earn a 25-17 decision and a crucial road victory.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Marion continues 5A East play next week with three matches. The Patriots travel to play Valley View on Monday night before hosting West Memphis at Fidelity Bank Arena on Tuesday evening, which doubles as the Pats’ Senior Night. Marion travels to play Greene County Tech on Thursday. You can watch all three matches for free on the Marion Patriots Activities Network if you can not attend.
5A EAST RESULTS FROM 9/24
Marion 3, Searcy 0
Valley View 3, Paragould 0
Greene Co. Tech 3, Beebe 1
Batesville 3, W. Memphis 0
5A EAST STANDINGS ON 9/25
SCHOOL CONF. RECORD
Marion 8-0
Valley View 7-1
Paragould 6-2
Searcy 6-3
Greene Co. Tech 4-4
Beebe 2-6
Batesville 2-6
Nettleton 2-7
W. Memphis 0-8
Top four teams make state tournament at Farmington.
5A EAST MATCHES ON 9/28
Marion at Valley View
Paragould at W. Memphis
Greene Co. Tech at Batesville
Nettleton at Beebe
Searcy at Harding Academy (non-conference)