For a dominant team that posted impressive performance after impressive performance this season, Blessed Trinity finished their 2012 volleyball season in style.

Pitted against archrival St. Pius X in the state title match, the Lady Titans never took their foot off the gas and swept the Lady Golden Lions (26-24, 25-23, 30-28) to claim the Class-AAA state championship trophy at Marietta High School.

“Before the match, I told the players that St. Pius would come in with something to prove and that we had to be prepared to respond and elevate our game,” said BT volleyball coach Paul Stevens. “In particular, I told them that we would no doubt face some adversity during the match, and it was at those times that our team’s character would be revealed.

“I think that character really was the difference — each team had five set point opportunities during the match; we converted three [and] we kept Pius from converting each of theirs.”

Facing a set point in the opening frame, it was Molly McAlvany’s dig that saved the Lady Titans early and eventually gave BT a 1-0 lead. Down 22-18 in set two the Lady Titans mustered up a 7-1 run to eventually take set two and in the third set, Ashley MacDonald, a senior, came off the bench on match point and served the winning point.

“To see this group of players, whom I care about so much, have their dreams fulfilled and experience what it’s like to be champions... it’s almost indescribable,” said Stevens.

McAlvany and Jessica Holler led the team with 12 kills each. Holler added 2.5 blocks, Maggie Rick had 34 assists and Amber MacDonald added 17 digs to lead the team.

The win wrapped Blessed Trinity’s season with a 54-2 record and a No. 1 state ranking they garnered in early August and never relinquished.

Stevens said that along a wealth of talent, team chemistry was at the forefront of the magical seasons.

“As a coaching staff, we knew that we had a great team with a lot of talent and potential at the beginning of August. But talent alone doesn’t win championships.

“More than anything, our success this year was due to our team’s chemistry. The players absolutely love each other, and you could see that in the championship match.”