By Laura Mazur
Community Post

They are the champions, my friends.

Marion Local’s Lady Flyers volleyball team showed they had what it takes to become Division IV State Champions this past weekend.

“It was the greatest volleyball moment of my life,” said Coach Amy Steininger. “It’s pretty special to get first at state for your school and your community.”

In a final match against Norwalk St. Paul at the Ervin J. Nutter Center on the campus of Wright State University on Saturday, the Flyers won 25-14, 25-22 and 25-16 to win the state championship �" the first in Marion Local’s volleyball history. The night before, on Friday, the team won against Newark Catholic. On Sunday, the school held a special homecoming celebration for the team to celebrate their victory.

“God gave us some very talented girls and they took that talent and made themselves the best they could be,” said Stan Wilker, athletic director for Marion Local Schools.

Superintendent Carl Metzger commented that the team is one of many things that holds to be the “model for excellence and distinction” for the school district, the team playing a role as living the school’s mission statement.

“Everyone’s watching us and we are the model,” he said. “This is the first of many to come for volleyball.”

Players, both seniors and underclassmen, spoke during celebrations on Sunday afternoon. Senior players Megan Barhorst, Abby Niekamp, Katie Schulze and Kathy Dirksen thanked fans in the community and their families for support in the stands at the game and when they got back home.

“Looking up and seeing all that blue and gold brought tears to my eyes,” said Barhorst.

Coaches also gave their gratitude for support and to the team for a great year.

“They’ve been very coachable. It was a pleasure to coach them and I love them all. Thank you girls for giving me the thrill of victory,” said Assistant Coach Beth “Shorty” Everman.

Also coaching the team this season were Karla Otte, Shannon Painter-Carpenter and Mary Lou Bruns.
Steininger said what helped the team this season was height, with players at 6-foot tall to spike over nets.
Although the team is left a bit shorter for next season as the nine seniors leave, the underclassmen are still hopeful about another championship and a new team.

Some, like Ashley Lochtefeld, Leah Rosenbeck and Shelby Moeller still have two more team years to go.
The underclassmen said positive attitudes throughout the season kept them going, even after their loss this year against Celina.

“They all put up a good fight. MAC teams are always hard,” said Moeller.

However, the Lady Flyers pulled off 28-1 this season overall.

Some players, like Tara Hartings and Jessica Schwieterman, will have a chance during their senior year next year.

“Starting over and seeing how we can do as a new team,” is something Hartings looks to next year for as a team member.

Schieterman said her goal was, “winning another one.”