The Marist War Eagles volleyball team ended their season as state champions with an incredible five-set win over Pace Academy on Oct. 30.
The girls delivered one of their strongest and most exciting performances of the year to secure the GHSA Class 4A volleyball title. It wasn’t just a big win; it showed exactly who this team is and what they’ve worked for all season.
Right from the start, Marist came ready to play. Despite losing the first set, the team didn’t panic or lose confidence. Instead, they settled in, adjusted, and came back with more energy.
Their passing grew sharper, their offense stepped up, and the entire team looked more connected. They battled to win the next two sets as the momentum swung their way.
Pace Academy pushed the match to a fifth set. That final set was full of intense rallies and pressure on every point, with the score staying close throughout. But the War Eagles stayed focused.
After 9 match points and some close referee calls, they finished the match 24-22 to claim the state championship.
What made the night even more meaningful was that the win came from the whole team, not just a few players.
Head Coach Leah Longoria shared her thoughts about the high-pressure victory. “The team’s chemistry is what helped us succeed this season. They trusted each other, they trusted the system, they trusted their coaches, and they trusted the work,” she said. “We had girls step into new roles, girls who handled insane pressure, and girls who brought energy every single day,” she continued. “They were a very selfless group. Nobody cared about stats. We very rarely even talked stats. They cared about doing their job so the team could win.”
Everyone contributed in their own way, whether it was defense, serving, or just keeping the energy up. The girls supported one another through every point, and it showed.
For our entire school community, this championship was a moment to celebrate and cherish. The team didn’t just win; they played with heart, confidence, and trust in each other.
It was the perfect ending to an incredible season and proof that all their hard work truly paid off.
