Marion grabs control of Wamac West

MARION - You know it's your night when ...

When you're setting up to pass the ball, misjudge it, pass it with your head and eventually win the point anyway.

It was Marion's night. And more than likely, it's Marion's division.

The Class 4A third-ranked Indians seized control of the Wamac Conference West Division race Tuesday night, sweeping 3A No. 3 Independence, 25-19, 25-22, 25-19 in a battle of league unbeatens at Marion High School.

'We had a big crowd, and we were pumped up to show people what kind of team we have,” said setter Amanda Sahm.

And what kind of team is that?

'We're a good team,” she said. 'We're a great team.”

The Indians (18-2 overall, 5-0 division) were the cleaner, more consistent team Tuesday. And when talented sophomore Isabella Sade passed the ball with her forehead at the net - and Marion ultimately won the point on Morgan Swanger's block for a 19-16 advantage in the third set - it was apparent that the bounces were going their direction, too.

'When things are going your way, crazy things like that can happen,” said Marion Coach Roxanne Paulsen.

Alyssa Thomas led all attackers with 12 kills to lead Marion to a 41-27 kill advantage. Olivia Frazier added nine kills, Sade seven.

And Sahm made it all hum with 32 assists.

'You've got to credit Marion,” said Independence Coach Joe Schmitz. 'Of all the teams we've played, they're the toughest matchup. They're a very strong team.”

Marion played from ahead virtually all night. Independence (17-3, 4-1) rallied from a four-point deficit to forge a 20-all tie in the second set, but Marion scored the next two points. Thomas' block closed out the set.

'We came in here and knew it was going to be a tough (match), no matter what,” Thomas said. 'We knew it was going to be a challenge; they're a team that was going to push us to be the best we can be.”

The third set was tied at 14, then Marion scored four straight and led the rest of the way. Sahm's ace made Marion a winner.

Both teams have two divisional matches left.

Shelby Lehman paced the Mustangs with eight kills. Kaitlin Niedert added seven. Alyssa Hawkins dished out 23 assists.

MARION 3, INDEPENDENCE 0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-19)

At Marion

Serving: Independence 59-62 (.952), Marion 64-73 (.877); Aces: Independence 2 (Kaitlin Niedert 2), Marion 4 (Amanda Sahm 3); Kills: Independence 27 (Shelby Lehman 9), Marion 41 (Alyssa Thomas 12); Assists: Independence 25 (Alyssa Hawkins 23), Marion 35 (Sahm 32); Blocks: Independence 4 (Niedert 2), Marion 5 (Thomas 2).

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@sourcemedia.net