Expectations can be a funny thing in the wide world of athletics.
Take the 2024 Marion volleyball team, for example.
Lisa Beasley's bunch finished this past season with 23 victories and a conference co-championship, which would be classified as a breakout season for most other programs.
But, for Marion?
“Things didn't end like any of us wanted,” said Beasley, who launched Marion's volleyball program in 1996. “We were plagued with injuries all season, and we let ourselves get distracted with things that were out of our control. But, when all is said and done, 20 wins, conference champs, and making it to the playoffs is a good season, and definitely nothing to hang your head about, but it still stings a bit.”
The 2024 Patriots looked like a state-title contender through September, starting 13-3-1, and starting the rugged 5A East schedule 10-0, including a thrilling five-set victory over state power Valley View.
But that's when the injuries began to pile up, headlined by the late September loss of two-time all-state performer Kennedy Bullins.
Marion dropped three of four matches in early October, including a five-set loss at Batesville and a defeat at Valley View that gave the Blazers the head-to-head tiebreaker for the state tournament.
That pitted the Patriots against Class 5A state volleyball tournament host Van Buren in the first round of the playoffs, which propelled the Pointers to the quarterfinals.
“We put ourselves in the best possible situation to be outright conference champs and get a better seed going into the tournament, but we didn't seize the moment. I hope we learned from that and will take care of our business this season. We didn't make a deep run in the state tournament, which was disappointing to everyone, and I think that has been a motivating force with our work this off-season and continues to this day,” said Beasley. “As far as off-season prep, we did things a little differently this year, so we shall see if we reap the rewards. As always, we hit the weight room, and I think the girls worked harder these past few months than they did previously. We made our off-season competitive, weighted, worthy, and purposeful.”
Following the graduation of four-year letter-winners Maggie Miller and Alexa Shinabery, Marion still boasts a deep, talented roster for 2025.
The Patriots made a point to rotate 10-12 players in most matches a season ago, with four other players earning heavy minutes.
“Excited doesn't seem to clearly describe it, but it is bittersweet on some levels,” said Beasley. “Six of our seven seniors have been in our program all six years and played on the varsity for four years, whether the entire season or for the state tournament. The impact these young ladies have had on our program is remarkable, and these young ladies are just as impressive off the court as they are on it.”
All-state performers Bullins, Kaitlyn Austin, Kendall Brown, and all-conference libero Abbigale “Abby” Simmons anchor the 2025 Patriots. Classmates Aynslee Coad and Taylor Chamness wrap their careers as four-year varsity letter-winners, while Reese Goodwin is a three-year varsity player, and Cameron Baker returned to the program after an impressive junior high career.
Bullins has a chance to become one of Marion's more decorated players in program history as a four-year letter-winner, three all-league nods, and a pair of all-state selections. She was putting together another fine season late last September, when an Achilles injury ended her season.
“She's a threat wherever she is on the court,” said Beasley. “A phenomenal blocker, and just as impressive a hitter. Her presence is limitless on and off the court.”
Austin also enters her fourth varsity season after landing on the all-state list for the first time last fall, following a pair of All-5A East selections.
“She's focused, driven, and competitive,” said Beasley. “She never takes a playoff off, and is just fun to watch and coach. Her volleyball IQ ranks up there with Yoda. She's our firecracker on and off the court.”
Brown earned all-state, all-state tournament team, and all-conference honors for her stellar 2024 season and then committed in July to Mississippi State University to further her volleyball career.
“Nothing is off limits for Kendall when it's game time,” said Beasley. “She's a three-year varsity starter, so she brings experience, knowledge, and leadership to us. She's fun to watch.”
Simmons produced her finest season as a junior, earning All-5A East honors while leading the team in digs for a second consecutive season.
“She makes the job of libero look easy, but we all know it's anything but,” said Beasley. “She's incredibly good at reading the ball, reading the hitters, and putting herself in the right position to make the play.”
Coad missed her sophomore season with a knee injury, but gave the Patriots a lot of production in 2024, and after earning all-league honors in the spring for the soccer team, she looks poised to have her best volleyball season to date.
“She puts up a big block for us, and she can hammer the ball,” said Beasley. “She's versatile, and we can use her at different positions. She makes us better when she is on the floor.”
Chamness has also proven versatile in her four seasons for Patriot volleyball, and she added another notch to her belt over the summer, when she earned reps as a setter.
“Her athleticism creates havoc for the other side of the net,” said Beasley. “She's a spark plug; we are excited to see the impact she brings running the offense.”
Nobody has scored more goals than Goodwin over the past three soccer seasons, and when she's playing volleyball, she may be even more competitive.
“She makes an impact at the net and at the service line,” said Beasley. “She is always ready and willing to do whatever is asked of her and whatever the team needs.”
Baker, who is also an accomplished band performer, gave the team a lift during summer drills when she “didn't waste any time making her presence known,” said Beasley. “She provides us with another big hitter and blocker at the net.”
Marion boasts a big senior group this fall, but the junior class will also factor in for 2025.
Brown, Claire Brinkley, Marlee Williams, Annabelle White, Izzy Fenter, Bren Sutton, Alli Sharp, Mallorie Sharp, Jaida Sturdivant, Emma McKinness, and Kolbie Triplett comprise this group of talented 11th graders.
Brinkley broke the starting lineup as a sophomore and brilliantly executed Marion's up-tempo offense.
“When you pair Claire with any of our hitters, it's a deadly combo,” said Beasley. “She works hard to continually improve her skills, while also being a student of the game.”
Williams showed a knack for the ball throughout her sophomore season and appeared in every game for a veteran-laden outfit.
“She was quick to step up when we had injuries last year,” said Beasley. “We expect really big things from this kid.”
White appeared in most games a season ago, excelling as a defensive specialist and the junior varsity's libero, then committed in July to Henderson State University.
“Not one ball will hit the floor when AB is on the court,” said Beasley. “She's quick, strong, and smart. She works so hard and pulls out the best in all of her teammates.”
Fenter impressed coaches with a variety of shots during the off-season and “will surprise you with a new, creative spot to put the ball down,” said Beasley. “She is not scared to use a variety of different swings.”
Sutton is “as good on the back row as she is on the front row,” said the coach. “She has such a quick and powerful whip to her arm swing that it makes it tough to dig.”
Alli and Mallorie Sharp patrol the back row of Marion's defense with quickness and anticipation.
“Alli is one of the quicker players on the court,” said Beasley. “Mallorie is a savvy player who reads the court so well.”
Sturdivant and McKinness block and hit from the middle of the formation.
“Jaida gives us another offensive threat at the net and provides us with a big block, allowing us to move people around to other positions,” said Beasley. “Emma is a blocking machine. She has a knack of getting herself in position to put up a big block.”
Triplett earned all-state honors in the spring on the softball field, but will miss the 2025 volleyball season with a shoulder injury.
Four sophomores, Madelyn Hamrick, Reese Jackson, Taylor Ruffin, and Isabelle Shirley, were promoted to the senior high varsity after producing a stellar 2024 season in junior high.
Hamrick, who earned all-conference honors in the spring as the softball team's third baseman, “does a great job on the back row for us,” said the coach. “She has a consistent serve and is reliable at the line.”
Jackson, whose sister played volleyball at Marion, “has great hands and provides great back row defense,” said Beasley. “She can do it all, and we have high expectations for her these next few years.”
The hard-working Ruffin proved a capable blocker during off-season drills and “works to get better on the court,” said Beasley.
The versatile Shirley “provides us a solid passer, good defense, and she has good hands if asked to set,” said Beasley. “She brings a breath of fresh air to our gym.”
Giving Marion a lift this fall is the fact that the Class 5A state tournament will be played inside the friendly confines of Fidelity Bank Arena for just the second time ever, and the first time since 2021.
To qualify for the single-elimination tournament for the last week of October, Beasley's Patriots must finish in the Top 4 of the 5A East. Marion has made the state tournament 23 of the last 25 seasons, and last missed the cut in 2019.
In that span, the Patriots have won or shared 14 conference titles, advanced to the state finals seven times, and have won three state championships (2010, 2011, and 2015).