Marion blanks Blytheville

Marion blanks Blytheville

Lady Pats remain in league title hunt

Sports Editor Ahead of a key performance in the Conway Tournament, and before a crucial final week of league play, Marion completed a season sweep of Blytheville yesterday.

The Lady Pats downed the Lady Chickasaws 25-5, 25-6 and 25-5.

Marion (25-2 overall, 15-1 6A/5A-East) got team-high totals of 11 aces and 8 digs from senior Hope Phipps, while senior Sara Betts was tops with 10 kills, while also posting 3 aces and 2 digs.

Ally Bramucci posted a team-high 14 assists, while chipping in with 8 aces and 4 kills, while Gabi Catt finished with 2 aces, 7 kills and 11 assists.

Senior Annalee Parker served 3 aces, had 3 kills, 1 assist and 3 digs against Blytheville while Sarah Burford dished out 4 aces, 5 kills and a dig.

Junior Destiny King finished play with 3 kills.

Marion’s junior varsity was also victorious against the Lady Chicks.

Junior Caroline Brinkley served 5 aces and got to 3 digs to pace Marion in each of those categories. Senior Maggie Aureli was tops with 4 kills and junior Lillian Fogleman paced the Lady Pats with 3 assists, while also serving 3 aces and posting a kill.

Sarah Thompson served 3 aces and posted a kill, while Autumn Starling got to a dig, and Carly Russell posted a kill.

Claire Moncrief added a kill and a team-high 4 assists.

Marion will participate in the Conway Tournament on Saturday before remaining on the road to play Jonesboro on Tuesday.

Thursday night, Marion will host Nettleton for Senior Night. At that event, the Lady Pats will honor eight seniors who have played roles on consecutive teams that have appeared in the Class 6A state title game, and will be looking to make it three straight this season.

By Chuck Livingston