Photo by Sam Thiel Members of the Marshall volleyball team celebrate with the Class AAA trophy after defeating Kasson-Mantorville in the championship match on Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.

MARSHALL — With sirens blaring from the local fire trucks and police cars, the Marshall volleyball team was brought back to town in style in the early morning hours of Sunday after they took home the championship at the Class AAA state tournament on Saturday evening.

Marshall was then welcomed with open arms by a group of family and friends with a short ceremony.

MHS Activities Director Rick Purrington started things off with a few words, acknowledging how proud the community is of the team’s accomplishment.

“Marshall is really proud of all of you,” Purrington said. “This is a special thing and it doesn’t happen all of the time. A state championship is something our entire school should celebrate.”

Marshall coach Dan Westby said some thank-yous and added their high level of intensity in practices during the season was a huge factor to their success at the tournament.

“We talked about this in the locker room afterwards, our practices this year were amazing. Every day was just a war, we would always practice on this court and it was just fun to watch,” Westby said. “Mr. (Terry) Bahlmann would always tease me that the best two teams in the conference were in our gym every day, one on one side of the net and one on the other and it really was a battle every day. I think when you do that every day, it just becomes a habit and I think it just makes your team that much better. I think the proof was in the pudding (tonight) and I think that’s why we came out on top because that’s really a habit for us to play like that every day.”

Senior Maysa Gillingham also recognized the fans for their continued support during the season and the tournament.

“I feel like a big part of us playing is having all of the fans,” Gillingham said. “I know a lot of people went to and from all three days, so that’s a big commitment but we appreciate all of the fans and the entire volleyball community in general.”