TEMPLE - Having won 38 straight matches, the Marian volleyball team doesn't seem to have many deficiencies.

Despite the recent dominance, the Fillies understand that in order to keep the streak, and their hope for a second consecutive state title alive, a certain level of passion must be present at all times.Marian proved once again that it was up to the challenge during Saturday's PIAA Class A tournament quarterfinal against Sacred Heart, seemingly getting stronger as the match went on.The Fillies cruised to a 25-20, 25-12, 25-9 sweep of the Lions, their 25th successive straight set victory."We knew we had to focus on our intensity," said Abigail Stankiewitch. "We lacked in that (area) for about the past three games."And I'm actually kinda sick right now, but I had to pick myself up. I know how much we needed this, and I just told myself that I had to lead the team."Even at less than 100-percent, Stankiewitch was still a force at the net, recording 11 kills, four blocks and three digs for a Marian (24-0) team that went with a simple, and familiar, formula throughout the match."I don't think there were many adjustments," said Marian coach John Fallabel. "Abby O'Donnell just recognized what worked, and kept setting up (Abigail) Stankiewitch. It's not a very hard decision."O'Donnell, who finished with 26 assists, 10 digs, two kills and one ace, helped keep the Fillies' offense on track after a somewhat sluggish start."I'd say we struggled in the first set, but definitely in the next two sets, when we got our intensity back, we had it," Stankiewitch remarked.Sacred Heart (15-9) managed to tie the score at five and was within four points several times late in the first set, but the Lions were never able to go ahead.The second set started as another potential back-and-forth affair, but Marian's Maureen Kloap went to the service line and the Fillies closed it out with a nine-point run.Marian had a 10-point surge during the third set when Courtney McCall stepped to the service line to extend the lead to 12-1, and Sacred Heart never got closer than 19-6 the rest of the way."I think they just didn't have the oomph at the very end," said Sacred Heart head coach Michelle Gatta. "They (Marian) just blew our doors off."The play of McCall and several other key reserves in critical moments offered a glimpse of what the Fillies are capable of and what the team is all about."We have good girls on the bench," Fallabel said. "They're the heart and soul of the Marian program. These girls put in all the hard work at practice."It's the girls that are sitting on the bench that work hard; try hard; want to be a part of this program."Being able to fill any number of roles on the court throughout a match is something the players strive for."Doc knows that we all are great players," Stankiewitch said. "So he can put anyone in at any position and we can all do what we're supposed to do. He knows that and he trusts us, and that's why we're on top."In order to stay there, the Fillies will now have to take down District 4 champion Troy, which defeated District 3 titlist Mount Calvary Christian, 25-22, 25-19, and 25-21 on Saturday.The semifinal matchup, set for Dallas High School at 7 p.m. Tuesday, could be one that pushes Marian and offers some clarity as to where this team is following yet another impressive victory over Sacred Heart."How good are these girls? Right now, they're 24-0 and they haven't lost a set yet," Fallabel noted. "So how good are they? I don't know."But they want this bad. They know what's at stake. They've been there before. They have the fire and they have the intensity."Lauren Nietz finished with 16 digs for the Fillies, while Alex Stroia chipped in six kills and six digs and Jasmine Mooney recorded three kills.