JOHNSTOWN — It was a scene that Marian girls’ volleyball fans had already witnessed.
Marian’s seniors were lifting a PIAA trophy after Saturday’s PIAA Class A championship match Saturday at the Richland High School Sportscenter.
However, the occasion was much different from the tears of joy shared by the Fillies after the 2013 championship victory over Cochranton.
This time, there were tears of disappointment as Marian’s seniors — Cassandra Hoben, Alex Stroia, Rachel Meier, Lauren Nietz, Kaylee Ceci, Abby O’Donnell and Emily Pilla — ended their remarkable careers with a second-place trophy after Greensburg Central Catholic took a five-set victory over the Fillies.
“It really is an amazing feeling,” Stroia, a member of both the gold-medal and silver-medal squads, said about the atmosphere. “It is tough at times to lose a set, but for us to push through and keep fighting back shows we love this game and we love each other. We left our hearts out on the court today, and that’s really all you can ask for.”
The day began with some good omens for the Fillies.
They were wearing the same blue uniforms that they wore in the victory over Troy in the semifinals.
Stroia’s father, who lives in Texas, appeared, producing a tearful reunion in the stands before the match.
As before last year’s title victory, the team sang, clapped and sang, lightening the mood before the battle commenced.
As in so many matches this season, Marian also jumped to an early lead in the opening set, but once Greensburg Central Catholic battled back and won the opening set, fans knew this was not going to be just another day in a dominant season for the Fillies.
“I think they were a little tense, but I don’t think there was a specific turning point,” Marian head coach John Fallabel said of his team’s play. “It was just back-and-forth, back-and-forth.”
In the end, though, Fallabel pointed out the Fillies fell victim to one bit of trivia.
Each set was won by the team to the right of the scorer’s table.
“That happened also in 2003 when we won the state championship,” Fallabel said. “All five sets were won on the left side of the court in that one.
“Best-of-5, you do the best you can. Roll the dice and see what happens. A ball here, a ball there.”
Afterward, the teams shook hands under the net and, when the official team picture with the trophy was taken, it seemed appropriate that a senior, Hoben, was left carrying the trophy.
“It’s a lot of raw emotion because we’ve been playing with each other since I can’t even say, since we were younger,” the middle hitter said. “Honestly, they are my family, and we’ll stay in touch forever.”
It was a common train of thought among the Marian upperclassmen after Saturday’s match.
“As a senior, I couldn’t be more proud of these girls. We’ve been through so much this season. We’ve worked so hard to get to this point. I couldn’t be more proud,” Pilla said.
O’Donnell, who finishes her career as the second-leading assist producer in Marian history, said the end to her role as a player for Fallabel will be difficult to accept.
“He taught me so much about volleyball, but also some lessons which can be used for life,” she said.
While the Marian seniors will move ahead with several indicating collegiate volleyball careers may be in their future, Fallabel said the memory of the outgoing group will not easily fade.
“They mean the world to me,” he said, adding, “Loving, caring group of girls that just loved to be together, that loved to play this game together.”
Fallabel will return with a new group of Fillies, led by juniors Abby Stankiewitch, Courtney McCall and Maureen Kloap and freshman Jasmine Mooney, next year.
“We’re just going to reload,” Fallabel said. “I want the other people in the (Schuylkill) league to know that. We’ll reload for next year. I’ve got the weapons.”