Mars volleyball players Gabi weidemann (9), Rylee Wooldridge (5) and Alaina Graham (13) celebrate after their win over Freeport in a girls volleyball game Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at Freeport Middle School. Eddie Clancy/Special to the Eagle

Eddie Clancy

Cecilia Christy had 19 kills, Rylee Wooldridge another 16 and Gabi Weidemann 49 assists to push No. 3 Mars past No. 5 Hampton 3-1 in a WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball playoff consolation match at North Allegheny High School on Thursday night.

The Planets won by scores of 25-22, 25-23, 20-25 and 25-18 to earn the district’s third-place spot and a berth in the PIAA tournament.

“It means a lot to the team to be going back to the state tournament,” Mars coach Tami Caraway said. “It’s not an easy road to get there and (it) needed to be a total team effort throughout the season. I’m really proud of the girls and can’t wait to see what they can accomplish from here.”

The Planets were kept from defending their WPIAL title with a semifinal loss to Beaver on Tuesday. Now Mars turns its focus toward winning a state crown after coming one step short last season.