It was an electric atmosphere as Joseph A. Massa Gymnasium was packed to the brim as fans were lining up at the door prior to the gates opening, the flannel panel overflowing, and there was not an empty seat in the upper balcony.

Facing District 7’s No. 3 seed Mars Fightin’ Planets, the Dragons were defeated in three sets 25-17, 25-19, 25-23.

Warren played behind most of the match but showed its grit and determination, and proved why it deserved to be in the state playoff tournament.

The first set featured a back-and-forth start with Warren winning a few points, then Mars retaliating, and vice versa. The Fightin’ Planets would pull away 20-12, hold firm, and secure the 25-17 win.

Photo courtesy of Mark Evans Warren’s Hailey Cabisca rises up for a spike during Tuesday’s PIAA Class 3A first-round matchup with Mars at Warren Area High School’s Joseph Massa Gymnasium.

The second set was again another chess match with Mars pulling out in front to start, but the Dragons refused to go away. They strung together a few great points to cut the Mars lead to just 16-15. Mars rattled off five in a row to go up 21-15, but Warren would respond with four of its own. Unfortunately for the Dragons this would be all they scored in this set as Mars would notch the next four points, winning the second 25-19.

The final set was high intensity as the Dragons rallied off a series of late-set points headlined by Madelyn Nosel and Hailey Cabisca kills, great communication from Lilly Newton, Malysia Sorensen’s digs, perfect set placements from Brynn Norris, and solid net play from Attie Corey and Julia Getner.

Down 23-21, Norris faked out the Mars blockers and flicked the ball over the net to cut the deficit to just one. Getner would have a clutch block to tie the set 23-23. Unfortunately for the Dragons, this would be as close as they would get as Mars would win the final two points of the set, securing the 3-0 victory.

The Fightin’ Planets came out with high energy and intensity led by senior hitters Cecelia Christy and Rylee Wooldridge who came at the Dragons with high power and intense, consistent kill placement. With the win, Mars advances to the PIAA quarterfinals and plays the winner of Beaver Area and Dubois Area.

“We lost to a very good team no question, but I feel like we definitely battled for each point, and each game,” Warren head coach Mike Dolan said. “Their physicality kind of won the day. We did have some good opportunities late in both the second and third sets to score, but weren’t able to finish those key points. I’m really happy for the season that our seniors had, one of the best seasons ever for Warren volleyball. And they got to play in front of a huge crowd in their final game and all of them played well.

Photo courtesy of Mark Evans The Dragons’ Malysia Sorensen digs a ball.

“Madelyn Nosel played a great all-around game, leading in kills and putting up lots of digs in the back row; what a legacy she leaves as the all-time kills leader,” Dolan added. “Lilly Newton was big at the net as she has been all season. Lauren Fajbik played a really solid back-row game, passing and in serve-receive, and Peyton Wotorson had some key contributions as well. Junior libero Malysia Sorensen kept us in lots of points with great back row play as well, showing why she’s one of the best defensive players around.”

Corey and Cabisca each had two aces. Nosel totaled 11 kills, Corey had five, Cabisca had four and Newton had three. Sorensen notched 16 digs, Nosel 10 and Norris 7. Newton, Cabisca and Corey each had a block, and Norris assisted 21 times.

“A huge thank you to all the boosters, our great coaching staff — Sue Baldensperger, Samantha Nosel, Grace Wortman, Paige Wilson and Ellie Lobdell, the students in the flannel panel, the administration and staff at WAHS, and all the community for packing the gym for some high-level volleyball,” Dolan said. “It’s bittersweet to end. This season was so memorable and it took a great team like Mars to finally take these girls down this year.”

Photo courtesy of Mark Evans Warren’s Julia Getner sends the ball over the net during Tuesday’s PIAA Class 3A first-round matchup against Mars at Warren Area High School’s Joseph Massa Gymnasium.