Meadowbrook volleyball opens new season with sweep over Heath

BYESVILLE — Meadowbrook High's volleyball program took the first step in earning a return trip to the Ohio High School Athletic Association's regional tournament with Saturday's convincing three-game sweep of visiting Heath to open the new season.

The Lady Colts are seeking to extend their impressive streak of success, looking for their fourth consecutive trip to the regionals.

Even more impressive was the way the Lady Colts began the new season, dealing with early adversity when one of their key players in senior three-year starter Karly Launder went down with an ankle injury early in the first set of the season.

Launder went up high to deliver a thunderous kill, but came down awkwardly, injuring her ankle on the play. She needed help to get off the court and watched the rest of the day with ice on her injured ankle.

Unfazed, Meadowbrook stayed focused and cruised to the 25-14, 25-9, 25-13 sweep with one of their top players on the bench cheering her teammates' efforts.

A true indication of how solid Kelly Zehnder's program really is was reflected in the way the rest of the Lady Colts stepped up and got the job done.

"Obviously losing Karly in the first set was a tough blow," Zehnder said. "But the one thing about my kids is they are super, super resilient and do a great job of adjusting to different situations.

"Today was a perfect example of their resolve," Zehnder said. "We just switched it up right in the middle of the first game of the year. One of our best players has to be helped off the court, and they never flinched. I was really, really proud of my girls today."

The extent of Launder's injury was unclear following the contest, pending further medical evaluation.

Long-time volleyball coach Jeff Beros, entering his second season on Zehnder's coaching staff, explained the ability to overcome such a tough situation was a perfect example of how Zehnder has put together a highly successful program that just continues to produce.

Beros complied an impressive 546-127 record over his 27-year career leading the Buckeye Trail girls volleyball program. Included in that successful run were 20 sectional titles, five district crowns and three regional championships with trips to the state tournament in 1992, '93 and '94. The Lady Warriors achieved the ultimate prize, a state championship in 1994.

"It's all about Kelly," Beros said. "I say all the time, I'm like that girl scout cookie ... I'm a tag-a-long. Kelly has been successful for a long time and will continue to be successful. I'm just happy to be along for the ride. I enjoy working with Kelly, Morgan Haught and Whitney Dixon. I think we make a good team, but it's Kelly's show.

"She's just a really, really great coach. Kelly is super organized and has great insight on the game of volleyball," Beros said. "Also volleyball has evolved over the last few years, and she is right on top of those changes."

Beros feels one of Zehnder's greatest strengths is her relationship with her players.

"Kelly is a great communicator, and her relationship with her players is so special," Beros said. "She has high expectations for them. They know exactly what those expectations are, and they meet those high standards time and time again for her.

"Because those girls in her program, from 1-17, both varsity and JV, are all important to Kelly. And they all know that, and they don't want to let her down ever. It's really a special relationship, built on trust along with a great deal of respect that goes both ways."

Leading the way for Meadowbrook to secure the opening day win was Zehnder's other senior three-year starter in Taylor Sichina.

Sichina helped pick up the slack from the loss of her running mate, finishing with a team-high 13 points, along with 12 kills, four digs, and three blocks.

Senior Avery Black contributed seven points, five digs, one block and junior Katie Stoney racked up 10 points, 10 kills and six digs.

"Obviously getting back to the regionals is a goal we have this year," Zehnder said. "But I think we do a good job of focusing in, game to game. We have an understanding every game builds towards that ultimate goal of another trip to the regionals."

KSutton1@gannett.com; Twitter: @KevinDJsports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Lady Colts overcome adversity for successful opening day victory