From left to proper, Marietta seniors Ari Buckley (Malone), Taylor Karcher (Tiffin), Reagan Karcher (Mount Aloysius), Anna Ritter (Pittsburgh Johnstown) and Tori Dawson (Tiffin) introduced their Monday outdoors Sutton Gymnasium their faculty selections. (Photograph by Jordan Holland)
After main the Marietta Excessive volleyball program to new heights over the previous 4 years, 5 Tigers seniors have determined to proceed their volleyball careers
Throughout a signing ceremony outdoors Sutton Center College on Monday, Reagan Karcher, Taylor Karcher, Tori Dawson, Anna Ritter and Ari Buckley all locked of their faculty selections.
These 5 gamers have helped Marietta win a minimum of 20 video games every of the previous 4 years, make the Candy 16 twice and the Elite Eight as soon as. The 2023 Elite Eight run is the deepest event in MHS volleyball historical past.
“Their exhausting work and dedication to this system – it paid off for them,” Marietta volleyball coach Ron Kidder stated. “They’re nice volleyball gamers and they’re nice younger women. They earned it. No one gave them something. They don't allow you to go to varsity simply since you need to play.
“You must earn it and so they earned it. You must be good and they’re good. I hope they’ve earned everybody's respect. They starved for 4 years and dropped their bottoms. I'm so happy with them.”
Right here's a take a look at the place and why for every participant:
Reagan Karcher
Faculty: Mount Aloysius
Main: Sonography
2024 statline: 43 factors, seven aces, 134 digs
Why Mount Aloysius?: “I needed to review ultrasound. I knew that was what I needed to do, so we had been taking a look at colleges that had that. We went and visited Mount Aloysius and I form of loved it after we went and visited it.”
Marietta's Influence: “Coach Kidder actually ready us for faculty, so I really feel like I'm able to play there. We've all been enjoying collectively for a really very long time. I feel that's why our chemistry is so good.”
Karcher stated she and her twin sister, Taylor, had been open to going to the identical faculty. Nevertheless, they each determined to make the choice that was finest for them.
“We had been open to it” she stated. “We didn't need to go to the identical faculty, however we didn't care if we went to the identical faculty. I feel we determined we needed to go our personal means. We'll be about 5 hours aside although, which is able to most likely be a bit exhausting as a result of we're used to being collectively on a regular basis.”
Taylor Karcher
School: Tiffin
Main: Undecided – plans to attend regulation faculty
2024 statline: 21 kills, 46 aces, 205 digs, 835 assists
Why Tiffin?: “After the go to, I actually preferred the campus and the coaching. I feel it was proper for me, school-wise too. What I would like from volleyball is what they provide. I feel their requirements and the way in which they coach might be excellent for me.”
Marietta's Influence: “We’re severely one of the best of pals. I do know everybody says it, however we actually are like household. I feel it's actually cool that I used to be in a position to make faculty historical past with my finest pals.”
Shouts: “Positively our teaching employees. They’re an enormous a part of why we’re who we’re as gamers and other people. And my household for all the time supporting me.”
Tori Dawson
School: Tiffin
Main: Training
2024 statline: 153 kills, 53 aces, 27 blocks, 138 digs
Why Tiffin?: “It jogged my memory quite a lot of Marietta. It was a really secure place. They’re truly ranked very excessive within the most secure faculty campuses, which I actually preferred as a result of they’re so removed from house. Everybody was very welcoming.”
Marietta's Influence: “Being on such a aggressive highschool group will assist me rather a lot to get to the subsequent degree. Being on campus, I've been to a camp and I'm undoubtedly on the subsequent degree. I am going rather a lot quicker, however I feel I can sustain, and enjoying in Marietta actually helped me with that.
“It's actually superb how profitable we've been. We’re so shut that we will push one another and proceed to push one another to the subsequent degree and to be higher. Being so shut actually helped us. We're all finest pals.”
Shouts: “Mainly, everybody. My household helps it doesn’t matter what – faculty, volleyball, sports activities generally. All my coaches, I need to give a shout out for serving to me and pushing me to the subsequent degree. Katie (Haney-McGowan) for serving to me get recruited by Tiffin and Coach Kidder for pushing me even after I didn't suppose I might.”
Dawson and Taylor Karcher are excited to proceed being teammates on the subsequent degree.
“Truly, it wasn't deliberate,” Karcher stated. “I dedicated, and Tori was truly speaking to the varsity that Reagan was going to. I had her include me to a summer time camp and that's when Tiffin noticed her and provided her. It labored as a result of we’re like finest pals too. It simply labored completely.”
Dawson added, “It form of occurred like that. We each beloved it a lot and determined that's the place we needed to be.”
Anna Ritter
Faculty: Pittsburgh Johnstown
Main: Felony Psychology
2024 statline: 233 kills, 39 aces, 45 blocks, 351 digs
Why Pittsburgh Johnstown?: “Effectively, initially I actually preferred the campus, then I met a few of my friends, the coach, and different college members that I actually loved my conversations with. It felt just like the place to be.”
Marietta's Influence: “Going additional within the event was all the time certainly one of our targets at the beginning of the season. Final 12 months was fascinating due to that, as a result of that was certainly one of our targets and we had been in a position to obtain it. I don't suppose we’d have been ready to do that if we didn't have the sturdy bond that we’ve between us, but additionally the coaches that we’ve. They've been with us since we had been in center faculty and so they've all the time pushed us.”
Shouts: “Each my mother and father have all the time supported my sport. I drive in all places and go to membership excursions and stuff like that. Additionally, my grandparents have all the time been very supportive. They arrive to all my video games. And my coaches and teammates. They undoubtedly helped me rather a lot.”
Ari Buckley
School: Malone
Main: Train Science
2024 statline: 291 kills, 34 aces, 31 blocks, 344 digs,
Why Malone?: “It's a Christian college. In order that's the very first thing that attracted me, as a result of I'm a Christian. One other factor is the campus. The campus was completely lovely. It’s magnificent. And, the coach is the opposite factor. He's simply humorous and enjoyable to be round. I feel will probably be appropriate for me to be relaxed and never have a lot strain on myself.
“I feel I'll deliver good group chemistry and simply enthusiasm to play. I feel I'll additionally deliver the work ethic, to work exhausting and play exhausting each recreation.”
Marietta's Influence: “I feel it's our connection, personally. All of us play effectively collectively. We have now group chemistry. Each group has a little bit of drama, however this group was nothing in any respect. We're all actually finest pals.”
Shouts: “Positively Coach Kidder. I wouldn't be the place I’m right now with out him. And I give him all my reward.”