FARMINGTON --- There will be a new Class 5A state volleyball champion in 2026.
The Marion Patriots topped Texarkana in three sets (25-16, 25-9, 25-9) in the opening round of the Class 5A state volleyball tournament at Farmington’s Middle School gym on Monday afternoon.
However, Marion’s repeat run was vanquished by Mount St. Mary in the state tournament quarterfinals at Cardinal Arena, with the Belles slipping past the Patriots in four sets (25-22, 29-27, 19-25, 27-25).
Marion caps its 2026 volleyball season at 24-4 overall, including a 15-1 mark in the 5A East. The Patriots earned at least a share of the 5A East conference title for the fifth time in six seasons this fall.
Marion also finished 11-0 in home games this fall between 3M Transit Arena and Fidelity Bank Arena.
Of the Pats’ four losses in 2026, two were to Tennessee II-AA state champion Briarcrest Christian, one was to 5A East co-champion Valley View, and the other was in the state quarterfinals to Mount St. Mary. Valley View and Mount St. Mary will play at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs for the 2026 Class 5A state volleyball championship.
Marion pushed past Texarkana in Monday’s opening round behind 12 kills from Marlee Williams, 11 from Kendall Brown and seven from Taylor Ruffin. Brown added six aces against Texarkana, while Williams added three, and Reese Jackson served two. Bren Sutton and Williams scored twice on blocks at the net, while Claire Brinkley and Brown finished with nine digs apiece, and Annabelle White handled seven. Brinkley paced the Pats with 33 assists.
Brown led the way against Mount St. Mary with a team-high 21 kills, while Williams finished with 15, and Sutton slammed home seven. Izzy Fenter and Ruffin recorded five kills apiece. Brown and Mallorie Sharp served two aces apiece, while Alli Sharp and Williams tallied one each. Williams, Ruffin, and Brown racked up five blocks each at the net, while Brown handled a team-high 28 digs; White finished with 19, Alli Sharp had 18, and Brinkley and Mallorie Sharp fielded 16 apiece. Brinkley led Marion with a staggering 45 assists, while White handed out five.
SENIOR CELEBRATION
Ten Marion seniors played their final volleyball match on Tuesday against Mount St. Mary, including Kendall Brown, Claire Brinkley, Harper Doyle, Izzy Fenter, Emma McKinness, Alli Sharp, Mallorie Sharp, Bren Sutton, Annabelle White, and Marlee Williams.
The Marion volleyball Class of 2027 helped the Patriots record a staggering 75-14-1 record over the past three seasons with three 5A East conference titles and the 2025 Class 5A state volleyball championship.