[naviga:font size="3"][naviga:font face="Calibri"]JOHNSTOWN – Maplewood defeated Marian Catholic 25-14, 25-23, 25-13 on Saturday to win the PIAA Class A volleyball championship.[/naviga:font][/naviga:font]

[naviga:font size="3"][naviga:font face="Calibri"]The victory gave the Tigers (18-2) their fourth state championship and first since 2005. [/naviga:font][/naviga:font]

[naviga:font size="3"][naviga:font face="Calibri"]Sophie Varndell had 15 kills for District 10 champion Maplewood, while Maggie Thomas added 10 kills and four blocks. Isabelle Snyder contributed 17 assists and 11 digs.[/naviga:font][/naviga:font]

[naviga:font size="3"][naviga:font face="Calibri"]The Fillies (23-1) were seeking their first state title since 2013, and third overall, in their sixth PIAA finals appearance.[/naviga:font][/naviga:font]

[naviga:font size="3"][naviga:font face="Calibri"]“It’s been an honor, to be a part not only of this team, but this family,” said senior Elena Beckett. “We made a lot of memories; we’ve worked hard. I truly believe we left it all out on the court today.”[/naviga:font][/naviga:font]

[naviga:font color="#000000" face="Calibri" size="3"]Marian rallied in the second set, erasing an 18-7 deficit to eventually tie it at 21-21. But Maplewood ripped off three straight points before eventually closing out the set to take a 2-0 lead in the match. [/naviga:font]

[naviga:font size="3"][naviga:font face="Calibri"]Jasmine Mooney recorded 15 kills, three digs and one ace for the District 11 and Schuylkill League champion Fillies. Gianna Agosti dished out 30 assists, while also adding four digs and one kill.[/naviga:font][/naviga:font]

[naviga:font size="3"][naviga:font face="Calibri"]Antonia Galasso had eight digs, while Antonina Zeleniak tallied seven digs for Marian.[/naviga:font][/naviga:font]

[naviga:font size="3"][naviga:font face="Calibri"]Check out Monday’s Times News for complete coverage of the action from Richland High School.  [/naviga:font][/naviga:font]