The Marlington Dukes volleyball team carved its name into school history Thursday night, advancing to the OHSAA Division IV state championship for the first time with a 3-1 victory over the Shelby Whippets in the Final Four.
Marlington, which now boasts a 27-1 season record, defeated Shelby in four sets at the Butler High School. After taking the first set 25-21, the Dukes nearly lost a significant 16-6 lead but held on. Shelby rallied to win the second set 25-23, tying the match. From there, however, Marlington found its rhythm, securing the last two sets 25-18 and 25-12, and clinching a spot in Saturday’s state finals.
“I told the team, ‘Why not us?’” Marlington head coach Stephanie Tortola said. “This group has worked so hard all season, and they’ve stayed focused on taking it one match at a time. We’re so excited to represent Marlington and our community at state.”
Senior captain Jacsyn Hilliard described the atmosphere as electric, emphasizing the team’s mental preparation and execution. “We knew we had to stay focused and execute our game plan,” Hilliard said. “Our defense, offense, and serve receive were solid. We all believed in each other.”
Layne Graffice, another senior leader, credited the team’s versatility on the court. “Mixing up my shots and keeping the defense guessing was key,” Graffice said. “But it’s really about trusting my teammates and knowing we can rely on each other.”
Claire Battershell, also a senior, reflected on the significance of the win. “To be part of the team that took Marlington to state for the first time means everything,” she said. “This journey, especially after losing five seniors last year, has shown our growth as a team.”
Despite facing a momentary setback after their second-set loss, the Dukes remained resilient, regrouping and focusing on their aggressive serving and strategic plays to overpower the Whippets.
The Dukes’ only defeat this season came in their opening game against Copley, where they led two sets to none before losing three straight sets. But since that setback, Marlington has won 27 straight matches, building momentum that Tortola believes has strengthened their bond.
Marlington will face Cincinnati Roger Bacon in the Division IV state final on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Wright State University.
