With all the drama of a major Schuylkill League - Division 2 volleyball matchup between unbeaten Marian and unbeaten Panther Valley, each team was looking to make an early season statement.

At the end of the night, it was the Fillies who made their mark, loud and clear. Marian swept the Panthers, 25 -12. 25 -12, and 25 -17 with a strong kill game at the net and at the back line with a solid service attack."Our strategy is always the same," said Marian coach John Fallabel. "Serve hard. Hit hard, Play defense hard."The Panthers (5-1) kept pace with the Fillies (6-0) early in the first game and with junior Cassidy Ryan serving, the score was tied at 8-8. Then Marian's senior Abby O'Donnell ran off five straight service points for a 13-8 lead. After a PV service fault, Marian outscored the Panthers 12 -4 that included a service eight point run by senior Emily Pilla to finish the win."Our strategy was to hit hard, but as it turned out, they hit hard," said PV coach Nancy Filer.In game two, PV grabbed a quick 4-1 advantage, led by junior Jamey Mikovich's kill shots. Marian steadied its game, however, and went on an eight point run for a 9 -4 lead. The Fillies dominated the rest of the game with an overall 18-5 margin to secure another 25-12 victory.The third game began like the first game. Panther Valley, on strong play by Mikovich and effective serves by senior, Erin Evans, jumped out to leads of 7 -4, and 8 -6. But Marian, on a five point run, took a three point lead. With O'Donnell feeding Pilla and Abby Stankiewitch at the net, the Panthers were back on their heels fighting one rocket kill after another. With points from Jessica Wiese and serves from Cara Hoffman, the Panthers tied the game at eight before another Marian five -point run separated the scores of the two teams. PV kept it close and was down by only four at 17-13. Then the Fillies locked down the match again with dominating play at the net.Abby O'Donnell (31 assists for the match) is a fabulous setter for us," said Fallabel. "She's rapidly approaching 3000 career assists."Filer tried to stop Marian's runs and momentum by calling several time outs during the match."I told our girls to keep moving, hit harder, and pass better," she said. "Marian never gives up their intensity and you have to match it if you expect to compete against them."Fallabel also gave much credit to his six foot tall, middle hitter, Abby Stankiewicz."Until the eighth grade, Abby had never played a single volleyball game," he said, "By the time she's finished playing for us, I believe she will be a three time all state player."Both Fallabel and Filer were impressed with the big game atmosphere in the Panthers' gymnasium."It's been 13 years since this neighborhood rivalry was on the schedule," said Fallabel. "It's just a great scene to see this gym packed with loud volleyball fans from both schools."For Marian, Pilla finished the match with 10 kills, two aces and 10 digs. Junior, Maureen Kloap had six kills and 13 digs while Stankiewitch contributed 11 kills and four blocks. Panther Valley was led by junior, Kelsey Van Horn's five kills and seven assists. Ryan added five kills for the Panthers.