BROOKLAND AND PARAGOULD --- The Marion volleyball team is hosting this year's Class 5A state volleyball tournament from October 27-29, but that doesn't mean that the Patriots can't play on the road.
MHS proved it Monday and Tuesday evening, picking up a key non-conference victory at Brookland, which has played in the Class 4A state finals each of the past six seasons. Marion bested Brookland in three sets (25-21, 25-20, and 27-25).
Less than 24 hours later, Marion picked up its 20th victory of the season and clinched a spot in the state tournament, with an impressive three-set victory at 5A East rival Paragould (25-18, 25-14, and 25-16).
Marion is now 20-2 overall in 2025, with a flawless 12-0 mark in conference action.
The Patriots host Valley View (20-4, 10-2) on Thursday night inside Fidelity Bank Arena. Marion topped Valley View in four sets in September.
The Pats got 16 kills from Kendall Brown on Monday night at Brookland, while Kennedy Bullins checked in with eight, and Jaida Sturdivant finished with seven. Abbigale Simmons paced the Patriots with 27 digs and three aces. Bullins and Sturdivant tallied two blocks apiece. Kaitlyn Austin racked up 13 digs, while Brown had 11, and Taylor Chamness handled 10. Chamness led the way with 16 assists, while Claire Brinkley stacked 13.
Playing on Doc Paynter Court for what could be the last time ever, Marion gave a spirited effort against its longtime rival from Paragould.
Austin led Marion at Paragould with 15 kills, while Brown finished with 14, and Bullins recorded eight. The Pats served seven aces against the Rams, including four from Chamness, and one apiece from Simmons, Reese Goodwin, and Brown. Brown recorded three blocks, and Bullins a pair. Austin finished with 13 digs, while Simmons and Brown stacked nine, and Aynslee Coad handled eight. Chamness and Brinkley logged 15 assists apiece at Paragould.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Marion hosts Valley View on Thursday evening inside Fidelity Bank Arena. The evening will begin around 4:30 p.m., and you can watch the varsity match for free on the MPAN YouTube channel.
5A EAST RESULTS FROM 10/7
Marion 3, Paragould 0
Valley View 3, W. Memphis 0
Greene Co. Tech 3, Searcy 0
Batesville 3, Mountain Home 1
Nettleton did not play a conference match.
5A EAST STANDINGS ON 10/9
SCHOOL CONF. RECORD
MARION 12-0
Valley View 10-2
Greene Co. Tech 7-5
Paragould 7-5
Mountain Home 5-6
Batesville 5-6
Nettleton 3-8
Searcy 2-9
W. Memphis 0-10
5A EAST MATCHES ON 10/9
Valley View at Marion
Greene Co. Tech at Paragould
Batesville at Nettleton
W. Memphis at Searcy
Mountain Home does not play a conference match