'We just made history for our school': Marlington High School volleyball savors regional win
ALLIANCE — In tournament play, it’s win or go home.
The Marlington Dukes volleyball team was one set away from going home.
Tied at two sets each, the Dukes took control in the fifth and deciding set to defeat the Kenston Bombers 29-27, 20-25, 15-25, 25-17 and 15-13 in the Division II regional semifinal Thursday night in the Harry Fails Gymnasium at Alliance High School.
Marlington moves on to the regional final at 2 p.m. Saturday against Copley, which defeated Padua in five sets in the opening match of the evening.
Marlington (23-3) head coach Stephanie Tortola mixed tears and smiles following the emotional win.
“Every single girl just stepped up like no other and did what was needed,” Tortola said. “I can’t remember the last time we were in a fifth set, and we won it. It’s been years. These girls have only been in one five-set match in the last two years. This is awesome.”
There was no doubt about it, Marlington served first in the final set which turned out to be huge.Junior Jacsyn Hilliard opened the set with a five-point run of serve.
“I have never done that before,” Hilliard said. “It was so exciting to come out and have a good start for the team. We had the adrenaline from the fourth set. I just came out competitive. I wanted to get us a lead early because it was a short set in 15 points.”
Then it came down to the defense.
“We need to get a side out early and serve and receive so we could keep the lead and not let them back in,” Hilliard said. “That five-point run was super clutch.”
Tortola echoed Hilliard’s thoughts.
“That was the key,” Tortola said. “That is what happens in a fifth set. Emotions were running high for both teams and we were able to get the lead and never look back from there. We just kept climbing.”
It was also a history-making night for the Dukes, who won a regional match for the first time in four tries.
“We have won district four times,” Tortola said. “But this is the first time we have ever won the regional semifinals. So, we just made history for our school. It was a total, total team effort. Every player contributed. This just isn’t a this year thing. This has taken years of work building these teams. It has taken years of dedication and commitment, and knowing what the goal is and to execute it.”
The Dukes and Bombers are not strangers to each other. Marlington also knocked them out of tournament play the previous two years. Marlington defeated the Bombers in a district semifinal in 2021 and in the sectionals last year.
Kenston ends an excellent season with an overall record of 21-5.
“They (Kenston) are a very good team, but the Dukes were on top tonight,” Tortola said.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Marlington High School volleyball team wins 5-set OHSAA regional match
