JOHNSTOWN Resilience is defined as "the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; and toughness."

Both Marian (25-1) and Greensburg Central Catholic displayed these resilient qualities in the PIAA Class A state championship match and throughout the duration of the postseason.Marian came into the contest having won 39 consecutive matches dating back through 2013 and hadn't dropped a single game this season.Greensburg (23-1) has shown recent resilience, as it battled back from a 2-0 deficit against Clarion last Tuesday to advance to the state championship match.The championship match between these two schools was as good as anticipated, as the Centurions defeated the Fillies in truly thrilling five-game fashion, 25-23, 15-25, 25-10, 18-25, 15-13.The Richland High School gymnasium was filled with tension and anticipation as everyone waited anxiously to see how the Fillies would respond to losing their first game of 2014.Marian undoubtedly answered the call, as the Fillies roared back with a resilient effort of its own to take the second game, 25-15."We gave it everything and I don't think that we played a bad game," said Marian head coach John "Doc" Fallabel. "None of the girls slacked out there. Everything they could do, they did. Sometimes that's the way the volleyball bounces."Greensburg dominated game three behind Leah Bisignani and her 22 kills throughout the entire duration of the match. The 6-1 senior presented a tough challenge in the middle of the Centurion lineup that Marian hasn't seen much this year. Bisignani also contributed 14 blocks during the win."I didn't graduate anybody last year. Everyone that I've had this year, I've had for a long time," said Greensburg head coach Heather Meyer. "My main four players Leah, Rachel (Moore), Lauren (Nolfi), and Megan (Stunja) are three and four year starters. Their leadership and teamwork with the way they brought the rest of the team together was fantastic.Those who thought the Fillies would just roll over heading into game four were entirely wrong, however.Senior setter Abby O'Donnell had a string of three straight aces during the fourth game, which sprung Marian to a 25-18 game four win.There were four lead changes in the state championship deciding game five.Alex Stroia continued her sensational senior surge for the Fillies with five straight service points in the beginning of the game, which gave her team an early 6-2 advantage."It was amazing to play with my best friends on such a long streak like this and to make it to the finals," explained Stroia. "There was a lot of pressure on us, but to play with my best friends that past four years there really wasn't much more I could have asked for."We're a family. Every single one of these girls is important. I knew that whatever would happen, that I would carry this experience with me for the rest of my life."Unfortunately for the Fillies, a few late Kristi Hickey aces and some more clutch Bisignani kills helped earn the Centurions earn a game five win and the state title.Bisignani said, "It was so much fun, it was crazy. I couldn't stop crying for the longest time after the match. I've been playing with my best friends for so long, it made me so happy. I knew we were capable of this and I'm so proud of everyone. "Despite the loss, the Fillies showed up and turned in a total team effort. Lauren Nietz had multiple point-saving digs, and Maureen Kloap turned in one of the best performances of her junior campaign."Maureen had three bad matches in a row and she was down on herself," explained Fallabel. "I just kept telling her that she could do it. She came around and led us today, just like she did last year in the finals. She gave it her all and that's all I can ask for."Marian had one of the best runs in PIAA volleyball history over the course of the past two calendar years that included a state title in 2013, and now the 2014 state runner-up honors."Wasn't this fun?," asked Fallabel. "There's a winner and a loser in every sport. Am I sad that we are a loser? Definitely. But I'm not going to let it affect these girls. Somewhere down the line they're going to sit back and realize that they've put two major trophies in our trophy case.""It definitely hurts, but tomorrow the sun will come up and it will be a new day. I can't be regretful because I've had some of the best players and people that have ever passed through this school come into this program. It's a pleasure every day leaving work and going to practice. It's fun to be with them. This was a great group, and most of them will be back for next year. We're going to reload and we will be ready."