High Schools

FAIRBORN — Eighth-grade dreams became title reality for Marion Local on Saturday in the Division IV finals of the girls state high school volleyball tournament at Wright State's Nutter Center.

The 28-1 Flyers proved their No. 1 ranking in the final state poll was well deserved with a 25-14, 25-22, 25-16 dismantling of Norwalk St. Paul, the defending state small school champ.

With the game not beginning until 6 p.m., there was a lot of time to fill, so fifth-year coach Amy Steininger got out films of the nine seniors playing in the eighth grade.

"We just watched the films and laughed and it really relaxed the girls," said Steininger. "I heard a lot about these kids when they were undefeated in the eighth grade. So I went to see them play and thought, 'Wow, they're really talented. When they get to high school it's going to be real exciting.'

"Back then they told me they were going to win state when they were seniors. They knew there was something special with this class."

No sub for height

The key to Marion's success was a huge lineup with 6-foot-4 Megan Barhorst, 6-1 Amy Niekamp, 5-11 Kristin Bergman and 5-10 Brittany Thobe. They had 16 team blocks and 28 block assists during the three games.

"We had a good day," said Barhorst, who had 11 blocks along with 12 kills.

Niekamp, headed to Florida State to play, had 14 kills and two blocks. Bergman had eight kills, seven blocks and seven assists. Shelby Moeller had 16 assists.

We've got our trophy

The girls on the volleyball have been taking a lot of good-natured kidding from the football team, which won the Division VI state title last year and is 12-0 in D-V this season.

"My brother Adam (a sophomore) is on the football team, and he and all the seniors have been on us all year about not having a state championship," said Katie Schulze as she rubbed her state championship medal.