Lady Colts head to Dayton for unfinished business in OHSAA Final Four
BYESVILLE − Meadowbrook High's volleyball program under veteran head coach Kelly Zehnder keeps adding onto its unprecedented string of success.
Over the last four years, the Lady Colts have complied a dominating win-loss mark of 94-13, with four straight Muskingum Valley League titles and four straight regionals berths.
Following Saturday's impressive sweep over South Webster in the Division III regional championship match, the Lady Colts have now claimed back-to-back Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III Final 4 appearances.
Meaning only one more notch is left to add to their impressive resume ... the state volleyball championship.
"I think our girls are looking forward to winning that first Final Four game and getting to the state championship game," Zehnder said. "And I think with our Final Four experience from last year, that is something that is very doable. And something that they are very much looking forward to as well.
"We are playing extremely well. I think we are playing some of our best volleyball right now," Zehnder added. "The girls are playing with a lot of confidence, and we look forward to maintaining that level of play at the Final 4."
Making up the Lady Colts Division III regional championship team who currently sport a 23-5 mark are seniors Karly Launder, Avery Black and Taylor Sichina, junior Katie Stoney, sophomores Addy Sichina, Journey Nicola, Sommer Ginn and Nora Smithberger and freshmen Kara Launder and Lyla Thompson.
Zehnder's coaching staff consists of Morgan Haught, Jeff Beros and Whitney Dixon.
New Mindset For Lady Colts With Final 4 Return Trip
Last season, after capturing the school's first ever OHSAA Final Four berth, the Lady Colts might have been understandably a little bit satisfied upon realizing that long-time dream.
But this time around, the Meadowbrook players are more focused on getting down to business. Just getting to the Final Four is not the end goal, and these Lady Colts have set their sights on a bigger objectives, according to senior leader Karly Launder.
"Last year, it was more of a shock to get there," Launder said of the Lady Colts' reaching the Final 4 for the first time in school history. "You know it was like yes we finally did it, it was something we had dreamed of doing since we started playing volleyball.
"Then when we go there, I think we were kind of just soaking up the whole atmosphere," Launder continued. "Kind of like, yes we made it finally, but this year it's not like that at all. It's like we've been here, done that."
Meadowbrook suffered a disappointing 3-1 setback to Coldwater in last year's OHSAA Final Four semifinal matchup to finish at 25-3. But this year's Lady Colts are focused on taking this year's postseason ride a few steps further.
"We are focused on getting a game plan together and determined to do whatever it takes to win that first Final 4 game," Launder said. "Rather than just be satisfied with being there. Getting that last year's experience over there helps, with most all of the team was at least over here for it.
"Having that under our belt, definitely really helps us to relax and be able to focus on what we need to do," Launder continued. "So it's almost like this time it's a business trip sort of. We have a job when want to get done, and that's to bring a state championship back home to Byesville."
One of those returning players from last year is junior Katie Stoney, who during that trip as a sophomore reserve player dressed but didn't see any game action.
Now fast forward to this year, Stoney has stepped into a starting position for the Lady Colts and has been a vital piece of this year's successful return trip.
"I did get to dress last year, and was on the bench and got to experience everything but getting on the court," Stoney said. "It was obviously exciting to get to go and be a part of the whole thing, and cheer my team on.
"But now this year, I'm really excited because I get a chance to get out there and contribute in the game," Stoney added. "I get to be on the floor, get to play and get to experience the whole atmosphere first hand. And I think that last year being able to be a part of it will help me relax this year. Now I can relax, since I've kind of been there, and done that. So I'm just ready to go and we are so focused on making history, and bring that title back home with us."
The Best Strategy Gets Lady Colts Postseason Ready
Following the 2021-22 season-ending loss in the D-III regionals for the second straight year, Zehnder and Meadowbrook Athletic Director Jeff Wheeler formulated a game plan to maximize their chances of advancing to the OHSAA Final 4.
"I approached Kelly after that regional loss, and just said we have everyone coming back next year," Wheeler said. "Let's go play some of top teams in Ohio, and get our girls ready for tournament play by playing the best teams we can.
"Kelly was all in of course," Wheeler continued. "So I went through and picked out the top teams starting in Division I and reached out to ADs and coaches with emails. I just explained that we had been to two straight regionals and had everybody coming back. We were looking to play the top competition, and we got some positive responses, so that's what we did."
The aggressive move paid quick dividends. Last year's Lady Colts squad became the first Final Four qualifying volleyball team in school history and benefited from the aggressive schedule strategy.
"Our athletic director Jeff Wheeler works tirelessly on putting together a schedule that is conducive to us winning and not winning in the regular season," Zehnder said. "Winning when it matters, in the postseason. He goes and finds these teams and sets it up. Jeff is just amazing and really has a big hand in getting us the schedule we need. I can't say enough about Jeff Wheeler, he's just the best.
"We have seen some of the biggest and best teams in the state of Ohio. Playing all those bigger schools, really helps our girls in a lot of ways. It improves our poise, we don't sweat bigger teams, teams that have a great offense, a great defense, a great player," Zehnder said. "Because we've seen it all before, and we don't get intimidated by playing anyone. It has really helped our confidence that we can play with anyone."
Cincinnati Archbishop McNicholas Poses Challenge
Meadowbrook will open OHSAA Final 4 play on Thursday with a 12 p.m. matchup versus Cincinnati Archbishop McNicholas who sports a record of 20-7 on the year.
"They are pretty tall and athletic," Zehnder said of the Archbishop Nicholas team. "They have a couple girls who are 5-10, 6-0. They move pretty well, and are very aggressive on the offensive end. They are a solid team defensively and are a scrappy group.
"I think the biggest issue for us will be their offense. They're aggressive and have a nice setter," Zehnder added. "Along with a couple solid outside hitters, but I talked to the Newark Catholic coach and she compared them to Sheridan, who of course we know well. So that's a positive for us, something we have seen before."
Dayton Road Trip To Support Lady Colts
"We are closing down school on Thursday so our students, fans and members of the community can make the road trip to Dayton to support our girls," Wheeler said. "These girls have put in a tremendous amount of work, and are on the verge of making Meadowbrook history with the first state tournament win and a chance on getting to the state title game.
"They deserve your support, so let's pack the Nutter Center and get loud for our Lady Colts," Wheeler added. "Show them we are behind them all the way. I hope I see a bunch of Colts fans in Dayton on Thursday at 12 p.m."
Next Game
Meadowbrook will take on Cincinnati Archbishop McNicholas in the OHSAA Division III Final Four semifinal on Thursday at noon at the Nutter Center on the campus of Wright State University.
KSutton1@gannett.com; Twitter: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Relaxed, confident Lady Colts focused on making history at state
