Coverage presented by Arkansas Select Volleyball.
HOT SPRINGS — Kennedy Bullins and the Marion Lady Patriots were the story of redemption.
A year ago, Bullins missed most the season with an Achilles injury and Lady Patriots, who tied Valley View for the 5A-East title, were eliminated in the first round of the Class 5A state tournament by Van Buren on the Lady Pointers’ home floor.
This year, Marion (28-2) knocked out Van Buren in the semifinals, which was one the one year anniversary of their defeat. Saturday, they finished the job overcoming a 2-1 deficit to beat Farmington (26-6-1) 3-2 for the Class 5A state title (22-25, 25-21, 16-25, 25-15, 15-8) for the school’s first state title since 2015 and its fourth overall.
In addition, Bullins was named MVP of the state tournament with 11 kills and 6 blocks.
“When we beat Van Buren at our place, it was 365 days since they beat us at their place,” said Beasley. “My heart broke for Kennedy, the pressure she put on herself to come back, she’s one of the most humble kids I’ve met.”
While Bullins led the charge, she had help from her other front court teammates Kendall Brown (20 kills, 11 digs and 4 blocks) and Jada Sturdivant (8 kills and 6 blocks).
Marion needed those three to come up big as it had to trailed 2 sets to 1.
“I told them we need to settle down and play Marion Patriot volleyball and remember what got us here,” said Marion head coach Lisa Beasley. “We don’t need to make it complicated. We had some difficult matches and found our way back. We needed to dig in. It’s about grit, heart and character and they responded.”
After holding a 14-13 lead, Marion outscored Farmington 11-2 with Kendall Brown getting two kills in that stretch, Jada Sturdivant getting 2 kills and 1 ace in that stretch and state tournament MVP Kennedy Bullins getting 1 kill and 1 block.
In addition, Taylor Chamness had 23 assists and 13 digs. Claire Brinkley had 17 assists. Abbiagle Simmons had 14 digs. Kaitlyn Austin had 7 kills and 18 digs.
“All three of them have been spot on and dynamite,” said Beasley. “They’re so strong, they can jump and hit, you can’t ask for better trio.”
In the fifth set, after being tied 3-3, Marion ripped off the next four points with Sturdivant getting two blocks, Bullins getting a block and Claire Brinkley getting a kill.
After Farmington closed to 9-7, the Lady Patriots scored 6 of the last 8 points to put the match away with Bullins getting two blocks and a kill in that span.
Farmington coach Kylie Moad said her team lost their energy in those last two sets. “It’s our energy,” said Moad. “If we don’t have it on the court and we let them get momentum. We have to keep momentum, we lot control of a couple sets get away and that was the difference.
“They’re a good team. Hats off to them.”
Farmington won the first set that featured six ties and 1 lead change. Marion won the second set that featured seven ties and five lead changes, overcoming a 13-12 deficit and scoring five of the last eight points with Brown getting three kills in that stretch. Farmington dominated the third set, breaking open a match that was tied 2-2 by scoring 6 of the next 7 points.
Farmington was led by Emmerson Rehkopf, who had 22 kills and 17 digs. Laney Brisel and Sadie Morrison had 12 kills. Kolie Beach had 53 assists and 13 digs. Emma Gore had 6 kills and 24 digs. Kennedie Browning had 15 digs.
Beasley said she felt pressure to win her fourth state title, since it had been 10 years since Marion last won a state title, but added that pressure is a privilege.
“This is awesome,” said Beasley. “I can’t put it into words, this group of seniors been with me since they were freshmen, I’m so happy they got this opportunity.”
Moad said she was proud of the way her team won the 5A-West with an undefeated record and got to the state finals.
