MECHANICSBURG - It began with socially distant practices on the front lawn of the high school, and ended with PIAA silver medal presentations while being sequestered in the Cumberland Valley High School cafeteria.

In between there were masks, revised schedules, matches without fans, substitutes entering games from hallways and classrooms instead of the bench, and state playoff games on its home court.

COVID-19 made the 2020 volleyball season anything but normal for the Marian Fillies - and every other team in the state.

But in the end, the Fillies managed to turn the craziness of the pandemic into pandemonium on the court.

Marian qualified for the Schuylkill League playoffs, won a District 11 title, picked up two PIAA state tournament victories, and played for a state championship.

“It was definitely a crazy season,” said Marian senior Tatianna Zeleniak following Saturday’s loss to Clarion in the Class 1A state title match. “But for a while it looked like we might not even have a season, so I would take crazy every time if it meant we got a chance to play.

“I think one thing the pandemic did is make us appreciate of every practice, every game, and every moment with our teammates even more than we normally would have. Because for a long time, you didn’t know from day-to-day whether you were going to get those opportunities.”

Once given the opportunities, Zeleniak and her Marian teammates made the most out of them.

“How can you be upset,” said Marian coach John “Doc” Fallabel after the loss to Clarion. “I feel blessed that we were even able to have a season - and then to have this type of season - there is no way I can feel down right now.

“We started out practicing in August on the grass in front of the high school because regulations prevented us from going inside the gym, and now we are finishing out November as one of just two Class A teams in the state still playing. So I’m not upset. I’m thankful and happy.”

The red eyes and scattered tear drops above Alivia Karchner’s cheeks told the story of someone whose high school career had just ended with a silver medal instead of a gold medal. But Marian’s offensive leader said they were tears of gratitude more than they were tears of sadness.

“No one likes losing. But I am just so thankful for the opportunity we had and the success we enjoyed this season,” said Karchner on Saturday after players and coaches from both teams were hustled off the court into the cafeteria for interviews and medal presentations. “It was definitely a different season than anyone could have imagined at this time last year.

“Even as recently as a couple of months ago, we didn’t know from day-to-day if our parents would even be allowed in to watch our matches - or if we were even going to have matches.”

In the end, the season did get played, parents were eventually allowed in, and a Marian volleyball team that had struggled to achieve a .500 record the past two seasons was able to restore the program’s championship pedigree.

The uncertainty brought on by the pandemic might have even contributed to that success.

“I think all the questions and instability that surrounded the season brought us closer together as a team,” said Zeleniak. “When you’re facing adversity, I think you have to turn to your teammates and that’s what we did.

“In a strange way, I think the craziness of this season helped bond us.”

Karchner also had an interesting perspective on the 2020 campaign.

“Hopefully, there will never have to be a season like this one again,” she said. “But you know what, the way things turned out, I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

It’s a feeling that is probably shared by the entire Marian team. Because despite all the difficulties that 2020 presented, the Fillies found a way to make it memorable for what they did on the court, not what happened off it.