MINERSVILLE — Looking at the score of the third set, it would appear Marian’s volleyball team struggled against Salem Christian on Thursday.

Although Salem led through much of that third set, the outcome of the match was never in doubt.

The Fillies had little difficulty in handling the Eagles, winning 25-8, 25-17, 29-27.

The matchup was a semi final game in District II 1A competition. The Fillies advance to the finals on Tuesday against Nativity BVM.

Nativity won the opener in the 1A doubleheader at Minersville, sweeping Mahanoy Area, 3-0.

Marian coach Dr. John Fallabel said his team played only “mediocre,” adding, “You play mediocre when you have a mediocre opponent.”

Salem Christian entered the contest with a 16-2 record, but 10 of those wins were against non-PIAA schools — and it’s only wins were against schools with losing records.

After Marian won the first two games rather handily, the good doctor gave his bench the opportunity to play in the third set even though the score was close throughout it.

“Everybody played tonight,” Doc Fallabel said. “We played every player.”

Even though Salem took a 15-11 lead, Fallabel had enough faith in substitute players to keep them in the game.

Jasmine Mooney, an incredible all-around player for the Fillies, was strong throughout the match, finishing with 16 kills.

“Jasmine always does a good job,” said Fallabel.

Fallabel also praised Gianna Agosti, who had 29 assists, Carly Kosciolek who had seven kills and Nina Zeleniak “who played a good all-around game.”

“Nativity is going to be a lot tougher,” Fallabel said about Tuesday title game. “They always play us tough.”

In the first set, Marian jumped out to a 13-4 lead thanks to control at the net. Salem was no match for the power and skill Marian put up front, with Mooney, Alivia Karchner, Elena Beckett and Kosciolek completely overwhelming the lean opponent. Mooney had nine attacks during the set with eight resulting in kills.

Already in the second set Fallabel began utilizing substitutes. Mooney and Kosciolek had four kills each in the second set.

In the third set, the score was tied nine times. Salem broke the ties on six occasions. Still, Fallabel never wavered, keeping faith in his younger players.

Salem went ahead in the third set, 27-26. It was mistakes that ultimately led to the Eagles falling, hitting the ball out of bounds twice and getting hit with a carrying call.

STILL UNDEFEATED ... The win puts Marian’s record at 16-0, while Nativity, their next opponent, has a 13-3 record. Two of Nativity’s losses have been to Marian, both by 3-1 scores.

COACH RETURNS ... Fallabel was back coaching his the Fillies after missing the Schuylkill League championship game last week.

GOOD FAN SUPPORT ... The Marian fans outnumbers Salem Christian fans by at least 10-1. Salem plays in a Christian School league that has only one other team in District 11, that being Lehigh Valley Christian.