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How Mars girls volleyball made coach’s bold prediction came true, despite PIAA championship loss

SILVER SPRING TWP, Cumberland County — Tami Caraway knew there was something special about Mars’ girls volleyball team this year.

Before the Planets opened their season in late August, she made a statement to her players that caught their attention.

“She said, ‘We’re going to the state championship,’” junior libero Alaina Graham said. “Mars had never been there before, and I remember thinking, ‘OK, maybe. ... But we all thought about what she said during the season.”

Related Article: Mars girls volleyball loses to Pope John Paul II in first PIAA championship appearance Related Article: ‘We all ended up at the same spot’: Family support helped Mars’ Duker twins make state playoff runs Related Article: Mars girls volleyball confident, ready to ‘see what we can do’ vs Pope John Paul II for PIAA title
Mars' Lily Javor receives her medal after the team's loss against Pope John Paul II in the PIAA Class 3A girls volleyball championship game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at Cumberland Valley High School. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Saturday afternoon, the Planets (21-5) stood on the court in Cumberland Valley High School’s gymnasium, disappointed about the silver medals hanging from their necks following a 3-1 loss to Pope John Paul II, which won a third straight title and finished with a perfect record, but proud they had made Caraway’s prediction come true.

“We have to remember that today’s loss is not a reflection on our season,” senior outside hitter Lily Javor said. “Getting to the state final is a great accomplishment.”

Caraway’s belief in this team was born in the offseason after the Planets went 9-11 in 2023 and lost in the first round of the WPIAL tournament.

“I watched the kids during the club season, so I had a good sense of where they were at well before the high school season began,” she said.

There were bumps in the road, including a 3-0 sweep at the hands of Beaver in early October.

“Instead of the players getting down on themselves, they focused on what we could learn from it,” Caraway said.

Saturday’s loss was Mars’ first since that date against the Bobcats. In between, the Planets reeled off 13 straight wins, including wins over Beaver in the WPIAL final and state semifinals.

The district crown was the second in program history, joining the 2012 squad.

Mars was defeated by Pope John Paul II in the PIAA Class 3A girls volleyball championship game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at Cumberland Valley High School. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Related Article: Mars books first PIAA championship appearance with sweep of Beaver in Class 3A semifinal Related Article: How Hailey Duker, Gabi Weidemann’s selflessness is powering Mars girls volleyball’s playoff run

“It was great to see our players turn potential into so much achievement,” Caraway said.

Many key members of this year’s team are scheduled to return next year. Outside hitters Cecilia Christy and Rylee Wooldridge will be seniors, outside Kate Southwell will be a junior and setter Gabi Weidemann will only just be a sophomore in 2025.

“It’s a pleasure to coach players who have the drive to succeed,” Caraway said. “They are hungry to achieve more.”

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