YORK The sports saying "offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships" is certainly one of the most popular sports-related quotes of all time.

The Marian Fillies volleyball team proved why that statement has been reiterated in locker rooms throughout the ages as it turned in one of its most dominant defensive performances of the season on Saturday.The Fillies stellar defensive effort couldn't have come at a better time, helping them take home the gold on the grandest stage of them all. Marian defeated the previously unbeaten Cochranton out of District 10 in straight sets 25-16, 25-23, and 25-17 to win the PIAA Class A State Championship.It was Marian's second state title in school history with their other championship coming in 2003. Exactly 10 years later, the Fillies were champs yet again and their defensive effort against the Cardinals was the key.Cochranton (19-1) had a tough offensive attack led by standouts Kendall Dickson and Morghan Egli. The two possess a ton of size and skill, but from the onset the Fillies didn't back down.In the first game, it was evident that both teams were in the state championship game for a reason. The squads battled hard until about the 15-point mark in the first, but then Marian's serving and defense took control.Marian's junior setter Abby O'Donnell reeled off eight straight service points in that span, including three aces to give the Fillies a 24-16 advantage. A Cochranton service error then gave Marian the game one win."It was our goal to get to the state championship," said Marian junior Emily Pilla. "We knew that in order to beat this team we had to play a great defensive game and that's what we did. We told ourselves that we weren't going to let the ball drop and we did a good job of that throughout the game."In the second game, Cochranton made its best run of the day at the Fillies. The largest lead for either team was just three points in the frame, but with things knotted up at 21-21, Marian once again showcased its clutch gene.Three kills by Maureen Kloap and an ace by senior Grace Boyle propelled the Fillies into the third and final set with a 2-0 lead."We put ourselves in the right position out there," said Marian junior Lauren Nietz. "We put everything we had into our play today, especially on the defensive side of the floor. When you do that, you don't have to think, everything just clicks."Nietz is the kind of player that any coach would be happy to have. The Fillies' libero is constantly diving on the court and picking up opposing spikes. She portrays what this year's Fillies team is all about, which is toughness. Of course, the offensive talent and finesse is there, but the Fillies bring tenacity to the game that is hard to equal."I go out there with the attitude to help return any ball that comes back over the net," said Nietz. "We all have that attitude, and there is something about denying a team's best attempt at a kill that is so gratifying. That's the way we play the game. We leave everything out there on the court."In the third and eventual deciding set, the Fillies simply dominated. They got out to a great start with Kloap coming through once again. Kloap had two kills and an ace among the Fillies' first four points.Marian (24-2) then kept the pressure on, leading the entire third game without much of a challenge from the Cardinals. Junior Emily Pilla provided a fitting ending as her match-point serve nipped the top of the net and fell to an open spot on the Cochranton side of the court, sealing the gold for the Fillies."We played our game and we were really prepared for this team," said Kloap. "We did well adjusting to their pass and honestly we just knew where to go."Kloap, who is just a sophomore, turned in a huge effort for Marian. She led the team in kills with 11 and as the game went on her confidence grew. That's something that has happened throughout the season for Kloap and playing in this type of game will only benefit her in years to come."This season has really helped me gain confidence," said Kloap. "As a sophomore my position is an important one, it's a big position to fill, so I just try to go out there and do the best I can to help my team."Another sophomore Abby Stankiewitch did her usual cleanup duty in the middle for the Fillies. The 6-2 middle hitter battled with Cochranton middle Kendall Dickson throughout the day. Stankiewitch collected nine kills, meaning Kloap and Stankiewitch were responsible for 20 out of the Fillies 41 kills in the match.The future sure looks bright for Marian and coach Dr. John Fallabel."Our seniors are the best and they've been great leaders, but this group of underclassmen is special," said Fallabel. "They led us in kills tonight and they led us in kills in the last game as well."A lot of teams have sayings on their t-shirts, but I told our younger girls that they only need to worry about one saying. That saying was "grow up." That was my motto this year and guess what, that's exactly what they did."Grace Boyle, who was the Fillies offensive leader throughout the season also made her presence felt on the day, tallying eight kills and 16 digs. Emily Pilla added seven kills and 10 digs and senior Ashton Galasso added 14 digs. Abby O'Donnell finished off her impressive junior campaign with 37 assists and five digs.