Ever read a story about an old celebrity who died and all you can think is... "I thought they were already dead"?

When I saw the headline "Former Cochranton volleyball coach Malliard to be inducted into hall of fame,"
in The Meadville Tribune today I thought "wait, what Marci Malliard isn't already in the hall of fame?"

Not to dwell on this point for a well-deserved honor, but she and friend, Maplewood's Sheila Bancroft, have set the standard for volleyball in Crawford County that has elevated programs in virtually all the local schools. Their former players now coach against them. 

Malliard should be very pleased with what she has built - more than 400 wins and a state title. She announced earlier this year she would be retiring from coaching after the 2022 season. Read more about her career and her plans to help out as a volunteer in an article we published in September.

Congrats coach.

Clarion's Shari Campbell, another local volleyball champion, is also being inducted during the ceremony Friday. 

Ben Gilberto reportedly ran for 236 yards and scored one touchdown, but the Reynold's Raiders, who blanked the Tigers 64-0 earlier in the season, took the game 44-6.

​Gilberto finished the season and over 2,000 yards.

Maplewood made good work their match Saturday down at Slippery Rock High School. They handled Homer Center 25-15, 25-15 and 25-20. The win moves the Tigers into the state semi-final against Oswayo Valley on Tuesday at Warren High School.

​The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

Maplewood Tigers made fairly quick work of Elk County Catholic Tuesday. The Tigers won in straight sets 25-13, 25-18 and 25-20. They move on to the next round at a site and time to be determined.

A scary moment near the end of the game when Ben Garland lay motionless on the field. On his way out he gave the crowd a heart with his hands. Reports on social media after the game were good as he was being released from the hospital.