From left to right, Marietta seniors Ari Buckley (Malone), Taylor Karcher (Tiffin), Reagan Karcher (Mount Aloysius), Anna Ritter (Pittsburgh Johnstown) and Tori Dawson (Tiffin) announced Monday outside of Sutton Gymnasium their college decisions. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

After taking the Marietta High volleyball program to new heights over the last four years, five Tigers seniors have decided to continue their volleyball careers

During a signing ceremony Monday outside of Sutton Gymnasium, Reagan Karcher, Taylor Karcher, Tori Dawson, Anna Ritter and Ari Buckley all locked in their college choices.

Those five players helped Marietta win at least 20 games each of the last four years, make the Sweet 16 twice and the Elite Eight once. The Elite Eight run in 2023 is the deepest tournament run in MHS volleyball history.

“Their hard work and commitment to the program — it’s paid off for them,” said Marietta volleyball coach Ron Kidder. “They’re great volleyball players and they’re great young ladies. They’ve earned it. No one’s given them anything. They don’t let you go to college just because you want to play.

“You’ve got to earn it, and they’ve earned it. You’ve got to be good, and they’re good. I hope they’ve earned everybody’s respect. They stayed hungry for four years and worked their butts off. I’m so proud of them.”

Here’s a look at the where and the why for each player:

Reagan Karcher

College: Mount Aloysius

Major: Sonography

2024 statline: 43 points, seven aces, 134 digs

Why Mount Aloysius?: “I wanted to study sonography. I knew that’s what I wanted to do, so we were looking at schools that had it. We went and toured Mount Aloysius and I kind of just loved it when I went and visited.”

Marietta’s impact: “Coach Kidder really got us ready for college, so I feel like I’m ready to play there. All of us have been playing together for a really long time. I think that’s why our chemistry is really good.”

Karcher said her and her twin sister, Taylor, were open to going to the same college. However, they both decided to make a decision that was best for them.

“We were open to it,” she said. “We didn’t not want to go to the same college, but we didn’t care if we did go to the same college. I think we decided we wanted to go our own ways. We’ll be about five hours apart, though, which will probably be a little hard because we’re used to being together all the time.”

Taylor Karcher

College: Tiffin

Major: Undecided — intends to go to law school

2024 statline: 21 kills, 46 aces, 205 digs, 835 assists

Why Tiffin?: “After visiting, I really liked the campus and the coaching. I think it was the right fit for me, school-wise as well. What I want out of volleyball is what they’re offering. I think their standards and how the coach coaches will be really good for me.”

Marietta’s impact: “We seriously are best friends. I know everybody says it, but we really are like a family. I think it’s really cool I was able to make school history with my best friends.”

Shout outs: “Definitely our coaching staff. They’re a huge part of why we are who we are, as players and people. And my family for always supporting me.”

Tori Dawson

College: Tiffin

Major: education

2024 statline: 153 kills, 53 aces, 27 blocks, 138 digs

Why Tiffin?: “It reminded me a lot of Marietta. It was a very safe place. They’re actually ranked very high in like the safest college campuses, which I really loved, just being so far from home. Everyone was very welcoming.”

Marietta’s impact: “Being in such a competitive high school team will help me a lot going to the next level. Being at the campus, I went to a camp and they definitely are the next level. They go a lot faster, but I think I can keep up, and playing at Marietta really helped me with that.

“It’s very amazing how successful we were. We’re so close that we can push each other, and we just keep pushing each other to the next level and keep getting better. Us being so close really helped us. We’re just all best friends.”

Shout outs: “Just basically everyone. My family helping no matter what — schooling, volleyball, sports in general. All my coaches, I want to shout out for helping me and pushing me to the next level. Katie (Haney-McGowan) for helping me get recruited by Tiffin and coach Kidder for pushing even when I didn’t think I could.”

Dawson and Taylor Karcher are excited to continue being teammates at the next level.

“It actually wasn’t planned,” Karcher said. “I was committed, and Tori actually was talking to the school that Reagan was going to. I had her come with me to a summer camp, and that’s when Tiffin saw her and offered her. It just kind of worked out because we’re like best friends, too. It just worked out perfectly.”

Dawson added, “It kind of just happened that way. We both loved it so much and we decided that’s where we wanted to be.”

Anna Ritter

College: Pittsburgh Johnstown

Major: criminal psychology

2024 statline: 233 kills, 39 aces, 45 blocks, 351 digs

Why Pittsburgh Johnstown?: “Well initially I really liked campus, and then I got to meet some of my teammates and my coach and other faculty members that I really enjoyed my conversations with. It just felt like the place to be.”

Marietta’s impact: “Going further in the tournament has always been one of our goals at the beginning of the season. Last year was exciting because of that, because that was one of our goals and we were able to accomplish it. I don’t think we would’ve been able to do that if we hadn’t had the strong bond that we have between each other, but also the coaches that we have. They’ve been with us since we were in middle school and they’ve always pushed us.”

Shout outs: “Both my parents have always been very supportive of my sports. They drive me everywhere and take me to club tournaments and stuff like that. My grandparents have also always been very supportive. They come to all my games. And, my coaches and teammates. They’ve definitely helped me a lot.”

Ari Buckley

College: Malone

Major: Exercise science

2024 statline: 291 kills, 34 aces, 31 blocks, 344 digs,

Why Malone?: “It is a Christian university. So that’s the first thing that drew me in, because I am Christian. Another thing is the campus. The campus was absolutely beautiful. It is magnificent. And, the coach is the other thing. He’s just hilarious and he’s fun to be around. I think it’ll be a good fit for me to be relaxed and not have so much pressure on me.

“I think I’ll bring good team chemistry and just excitement to play. I think I’ll also bring work ethic, to work hard and play hard every game.”

Marietta’s impact: “I think it’s our bond, personally. We all play well together. We have team chemistry. Every team has a little bit of drama, but this team, there was absolutely nothing. We’re all literal best friends.”

Shout outs: “Definitely coach Kidder. I wouldn’t be anywhere I am today without him. And I give all my praise to him.”