Meadowbrook volleyball still striving to be the best

BYESVILLE — Meadowbrook High volleyball doesn't do 'rebuilds'... instead the highly successful Lady Colts program just simply reloads.

The names may change, as talented players graduate and move on each season.

But waiting in the wings is the next wave of talent that seamlessly steps in and continues to play high level volleyball with a new cast of characters.

It's due to the efforts of veteran Meadowbrook head coach Kelly Zehnder, the architect behind one of the top high school volleyball programs in Ohio.

It's all right there in the numbers during Zehnder's impressive tenure building the Colts' program into a state powerhouse.

Headlining that Colts' success is impressive back-to-back OHSAA Final Four state tournament appearances the past two seasons. They also have four consecutive regional berths, four straight Muskingum Valley League titles with a 56-5 league mark and a sparkling overall record of 86-14 during the four-season span.

Zehnder credits her players, parents for success

One of the differences that separates the Meadowbrook program from most other volleyball program is Zehnder's Colts seek out the best competition they can find during their intense and grueling summer workload preparing for the season.

Traveling to high profile tournaments and camps to test their mettle against the best, Zehnder and her coaching staff of Morgan Haught, Jeff Beros and Whitney Dixon challenge the Colts. Constantly striving to be the best they can be, and the results speak for themselves.

Last season: They're Back!! Colts volleyball returns to state Final Four

Football: Who will win the MVL Big School and Small School titles? Vote now

"It all really comes back to the fact that I have great kids, who are super competitive and work very, very hard, and they have very supportive parents who are all in," Zehnder said. "We could not do all this traveling and time we spend if the parents were not willing to be on board. Our parents are just the best, can't say enough about the support we get.

"I let my kids decide each summer what they want to do with our summer program, I leave it up to them each year," Zehnder said. "And now after playing the best of the best we can find, these girls want to go back and prove themselves like the previous team did. They get that feeling if the other teams have done it and had success, why not us. And we have been able to keep that high level going each year with a new group."

Good start to another regional, state tournament streaks

Meadowbrook has got off to its usual solid start to the season, and following Tuesday's 25-10, 25-13, 25-12 MVL sweep over Philo improved to a perfect 2-0 to kick off their attempt for another long OHSAA postseason run this year.

Leading the way for the Colts this year are five players who each played key roles on last year's 23-6 Final Four squad in senior Katie Stoney, juniors Journey Nicola and Addy Sichina and sophomores Natalee Norman and Kara Launder.

Stoney played a critical role at the net from her middle hitter slot last year for the Colts in their run to the Division III Final Four. She will be the focal point of the offense this season, after collecting more than 240 kills and nearly 40 blocks last season.

Nicola, who earned Division III All Ohio Honorable Mention pick, was a crucial part on defense during last year’s run to the state Final Four. She made more than 540 digs last season in being named the Muskingum Valley League Small School Division Defensive Player of the Year.

Both Launder, Norman and Sichina stepped up into prominent roles during last year's impressive Final Four march due to injuries and delivered impressive performances.

Sichina, a sophomore last year took over at the all-important setter position and turned into one of the top players at the position in the area, with Launder and Norman during their freshman season became a force in the back row for the Colts.

Adding valuable depth for Zehnder and the Colts are juniors Nora Smithberger, Sommer Ginn, sophomore Lyla Thompson and freshman Presleigh Valentine who complete this year's player roster.

"We have established a pretty high standard around here, and that's due to these girls working very, very hard," Zehnder said. "They put in the time needed and really sacrifice a lot for each other and that's because of being a tight group. We are just focused on getting better each day, and hopefully will end up right where we want to be again at the end of the season."

KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Meadowbrook volleyball still striving to be the best