Marietta’s Ari Buckley, left, celebrates with teammates Taylor Karcher, center, and Tori Dawson after winning a set in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference 5A championship match against Morgantown. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Marietta senior Ari Buckley and head volleyball coach Ron Kidder will get one more match together.

Buckley, voted last week to the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association All-Ohio first team, has been selected to play in the state all-star game. Kidder was picked to be a coach in the match, his second time being selected. The game is slated for this Sunday at Wooster.

“It’s the biggest thing we have in Ohio,” said Kidder, who also coached in the all-star game in 2010.

“Ari has been a leader for this team. She did a wonderful job all season on and off the court. She comes to practice every day and gives you everything she’s got, the same way she plays in a game.”

Despite how good of a season Buckley had, she never expected to receive such high honors.

“My reaction to getting All-Ohio was completely shocked,” Buckley said. “Coach talked all season about playing well and executing every game, so that I could have a good chance at getting that award. I’m well aware that this award is huge and isn’t earned lightly. Coach and my team play a big role in getting All-Ohio because I wouldn’t be where I am today without each and every one of them. I am beyond blessed to be able to have the opportunity to achieve that award.”

On playing in the all-star game, Buckley said, “I am beyond excited because I know it’ll be a blast. I love meeting new players and hearing their stories of their successes and achievements. I think it will be an emotional game for coach and I though because it will be our last game together for Marietta. Him and I have come a long way since seventh grade and I’m so thankful God placed him in my life and changed it for the better. I honestly don’t know where or who I’d be without him.”

Buckley, who transferred from Eastern to Marietta in middle school, joined classmate Anna Ritter as the only Marietta volleyball players ever to be named first team All-Ohio. Ritter, an honorable mention pick this year, was a first teamer last season.

“For Ari and Anna to have their picture up there (on the wall outside Sutton Gymnasium), that’s remarkable,” Kidder said. “There are thousands of kids playing, and only eight get first team All-Ohio.”

Buckley, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, averaged 4.1 kills per set this season on a .440 hitting percentage, 4.8 digs per set and 31 total blocks.

“She’s played all around,” Kidder said. “She plays 12 months a year. She’s tall, but she can play the back row and has gotten so good at passing and serving. She’s just one of those types of kids you love being around and love coaching. And I get to coach her one more time.”

Buckley, Ritter and the rest of the Tigers’ senior class helped the volleyball program reach new heights.

Marietta made the Elite Eight for the first time last season and made it to the Sweet 16 this season. The Tigers won 20-plus matches each of the last four years.

“Having all of these achievements this season, including breaking school records as a team, is sentimental to me because of how close we all are,” Buckley said. “Not only do we want success individually, but we all want it for each other as well. I think that helps us achieve the things that we did because we play as a team and have that connection on the court. Even though we didn’t achieve our main goal, I’m beyond proud of my team and what we accomplished as best friends.”

Kidder is grateful to have coached such a special, talented group of girls

“We ended up ranked fifth in the state, and the four teams ahead of us were all private schools,” Kidder said. “It’s the best all-around class ever.”

Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@mariettatimes.com.