JOHNSTOWN – Maplewood cut through the PIAA Class 1A girls volleyball bracket with machine-like precision.

The Tigers operated with poise and efficiency to sweep through their first three opponents of the tournament in straight sets.

It was the blueprint for success once again on Saturday at Richland High School, as Maplewood defeated Marian 25-14, 25-23, 25-13 to win the program’s fourth state title, and first since 2005.

“We ran into a buzzsaw today,” Fillies head coach Dr. John Fallabel said afterward.

The Tigers’ lineup features middle hitters Maggie Thomas and Maggie Hunter, who are both listed at 5-11, along with 5-10 opposite Sophie Varndell.

That size kept the Fillies off balance throughout the match.

“If you can’t get the ball up, you’re going to have problems,” Fallabel said. “They were a better team. They beat us. They were strong, they were good. They came at us from all different angles.”

Varndell led the way with 15 kills for District 10 champion Maplewood (18-2), while Thomas added 10 kills and four blocks. Isabelle Snyder contributed 17 assists and 11 digs.

“We were well-balanced,” said Tigers’ head coach Sheila Bancroft. “They’re more of a two-dimensional team, and I felt that we were just a balanced team. You can’t focus on one of our players. If it wasn’t Sophie, it’s Maggie (Thomas); if it wasn’t Maggie, it’s Nicole (Brawley).”

Maplewood used that firepower in all three sets.

“We have a lot of weapons. But you have to remember, in order to have those weapons, you have to get them the ball,” said Bancroft. “So our defensive players, Danielle Richardson, and Amber Burchard, they were all able to get them the ball, and our setters just distribute the offense. It was unbelievable.”

Perhaps nowhere was it needed more than in the second set.

After building leads of 15-6 and 18-7, the Tigers watched Marian (23-1) claw back to tie it at 21-21.

Maplewood ripped off the next three points. But back-to-back kills from Macie Mazalusky and Carly Kosciolek made it 24-23, before the Tigers eventually closed out the set to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

“Well, they had to stay focused. They had to regain their focus,” said Bancroft. “We lost a little bit there. We started making too many errors, and sort of woke up the lion so to speak. They came alive, and we made some errors.

“We had to make sure that we regained our composure, and finished that game.”

The District 11 and Schuylkill League champion Fillies built a 5-3 lead in the third set before a 5-0 run, which included three kills from Thomas put Maplewood back in control.

“It’s been an honor to be a part not only of this team, but this family,” said Marian 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.”

Marian was seeking its first state title since 2013, and third overall, in its sixth PIAA finals appearance.

Fallabell attempted to put the loss in perspective.

“Tomorrow morning the sun will come up. It’ll be another day,” he said. “You can’t get too high with your wins, and too low with your losses. This is our sixth time in the finals – won two, lost four.”

Jasmine Mooney recorded 15 kills, three digs and one ace for the Fillies. Gianna Agosti dished out 30 assists, while also adding four digs and one kill.

Antonia Galasso had eight digs, while Antonina Zeleniak tallied seven digs for Marian.

WHAT A RUN … Maplewood closed out the season on an 11-match winning streak. The Tigers last loss was a 3-2 setback to Cochranton on Oct. 3.

REVENGE … Maplewood’s other loss this season was a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Cambridge Springs on Sept. 26. The Tigers beat Cochranton (3-0) in the District 10 semifinals before dispatching Cambridge Springs (3-1) to capture the district title.

RECENT HISTORY … Marian lost to Greensburg Central Catholic in the 2014 and 2016 finals. The Fillies won the 2013 title with a sweep of Cochranton, the last year the tournament was held at Central York High School. Marian’s other championship came in a five-set victory over District 7’s Farrell in 2003. Maplewood beat Titusville for the Class 2A title in 2005.