POTTSVILLE – Dr. John Fallabel had little to say Tuesday evening after watching his volleyball team claim yet another District 11 championship.

Surely his team did all the talking in a 3-1 victory over archrival Nativity at Martz Hall.The Class 1A championship was the school’s 13th district crowning and the ninth for the legendary coach.“I’m not going to say much,” uttered Fallabel softly, obviously not his glib self, mourning the recent loss of his brother.“I dedicated this game to my brother Frank (Fallabel) who passed away Sunday… now I’m going to bury him on Friday.”The heavy heart by one of the best coaches in the state, didn’t go unnoticed by the Fillies, despite having to play the Green Wave for a third time this season.“We’ve had a lot of things going on and this was so important for us to win,” said all-state player Jasmine Mooney about her coach’s grief .The battle between two of the best programs on a Class A level in the state featured Mooney at the forefront with another super outing. Not lost in the shuffle were a number of Mooney’s teammates.Mooney, a junior, cranked up another outstanding night with a robust 30 kills and eight service aces as she went over 700 kills for her career and 400 on the season.Junior Gianna Agosti, the peppery 5-2 setter, was amazing at times with her sets as she handed out 38 assists in addition to serving up the nine aces. Senior Miranda Antiga collected nine kills and 14 digs. Toss in the fiery play of sophomore Antonia Zeleniak led her team with 20 digs. Don’t discount the floor play of Elena Beckett, and the play off the bench of Emily Meier, Macie Mazalusky, Jenna O’Donnell.Both of previous meetings between Marian and Nativity this season went five full sets. The Fillies managed to outlast the Green Wave both home and away. The third — and most important — match figured to bring as much drama and excitement.Marian got off to a slow start before taking control to break free from a 7-7 tie in the first set. Mooney collected a kill, then took over at the service line and reeled off six unanswered points. It was all the imputus the Fillies would need en route to a 25-17 set win.There was an answer in set two from the Green Wave. The Fillies fell behind, but rallied for a tie at 15, before it became a seesaw affair. Trying to ward off the outside hitting of Emily Yordy and Jordyn Lubinsky, who combined for 30 kills, Marian couldn’t silence the big guns and fell in the second set 25-22.“We knew if we kept on working we could do it,” said Agosti. “We worked on their service feeds and how to defend it… we just needed to keep the ball in bounds and we’d be okay.”True to form and Agosti’s words, the Fillies went to work in the third set. They shot out of the gate to catch some wind in their sails to open an amazing run of points vaulting to a 17-5 lead. Agosti served up three aces in the first rally. Mooney planted three aces on her turn to serve and Zeleniak picked up an ace before Mooney ended the drama with a massive kill for a 25-14 romp.“This time we said ‘no way we’re going to five again’,” said Mooney. “We needed to get the win, we needed to push, and we needed to play our best.”The Fillies did just that.Marian sprung out to a 10-5 lead, and the poised Fillies maintained the lead throughout. Jenna O’Donnell got the final point in the 25-20 victory.“I was nervous early, but when things started to flow I felt really relaxed,” said Zeleniak. “I’m just so glad that we won. It’s such a great feeling.”OFF THE CUFF ... Nativity coach Jennifer Daubert called the Fillies a “worthy champion.” Adding, “they beat us three times, I wish them well.”DIGGING IT ... Agosti had some superb digs along with Antonia Galasso, an unsung standout at the libero positionUP NEXT ... Marian opens state play next Tuesday at a site and date to be announced.