Marlington’s stellar 24-match streak ends in state semifinal loss to Buckeye Valley

At the state semifinal level, it’s a given that colliding teams will be on impressive runs — and that was the case when Marlington met Delaware Buckeye Valley in a Division IV match Nov. 6 at Wright State University’s Nutter Center.

The Dukes were riding a 24-match winning streak that began Aug. 26, while the Barons had strung together 16 consecutive victories, losing just one set along the way.

Unfortunately for the Dukes — who fell in the 2023 semifinals and lost in the 2024 championship — their third trip to state did not bring the charm they’d hoped for. Buckeye Valley topped Marlington 3-1 (25-20, 14-25, 25-18, 25-16).

Marlington coach Stephanie Tortola, who has led the program for 15 seasons, called the loss “heartbreaking” but praised her team for its effort.

“We had a game plan, and it was working well until midway through the third set,” Tortola said. “Then we started to struggle on serve receive, and they were able to get us out of system. Still, our girls fought until the very end and did a great job battling back.”

The Dukes rallied from an early 12-6 deficit in the first set, closing the gap to 20-19 after an ace by Chloe Evanich. But Buckeye Valley’s Alia Schoonover — who led all players with 25 kills — helped the Barons finish on a four-point run to secure the set.

Marlington answered in the second, using a 6-0 run to flip a 7-4 deficit. Kills by Justine Doringo and Danica Sarchione, along with an ace by Giana Bogunovich, forced a Buckeye Valley timeout. Behind more strong swings from Sarchione and Bogunovich and assists from setters Cali Young and Marisa Casto, the Dukes surged ahead 18-10 and closed the set 25-14 to even the match.

But the Barons regained control in the final two sets, jumping ahead early and maintaining their momentum to close out the win.

Sarchione led Marlington with 22 kills and 18 digs, while Bogunovich added 10 kills and 10 digs. Young tallied 38 assists and 14 digs, and Amiiah Sickles contributed three aces and 14 digs.

The Dukes bid farewell to three seniors — Young, Bogunovich, and Sickles — who Tortola said were instrumental to the team’s success.

“Cali has been such a steady, calming presence as our setter,” Tortola said. “She’s grown tremendously and is truly one of the best to ever come through Marlington. Gianna is a powerful hitter who will continue her journey at the collegiate level; we can’t wait to watch her dominate and thrive. And Amiiah showed tremendous growth this year — it was so rewarding to watch her blossom into the player she’s become.”

Despite graduating key talent, Tortola said the Dukes’ future remains bright.

“To make it to state three years in a row, with new teams each year, says so much about the strength of this program,” she said. “Each season, we graduate seniors we love and miss dearly, and yet the next group steps up ready to go. Our players work hard all summer and throughout the season, and our teams always seem to peak at just the right time — mid to late October, when it matters most.”