Colts' Addy Sichina embraces challenge to reach career milestone

BYESVILLE − Meadowbrook High's volleyball program under veteran head coach Kelly Zehnder has had its share — and then some — of talented players.

Numerous student-athletes have left their mark on the Meadowbrook volleyball program and then went on to continue their volleyball and academic careers at the collegiate level.

That group of former Meadowbrook standouts includes Camden Black (Wheeling University), Ella Jefferis (Muskingum University) along with Karly Launder, and Kendyl Cannon (Marietta College).

A current Colts standout recently cemented her place amongst that prestigious group when junior setter Addysen "Addy" Sichina reached the prestigious 1,000 career assist mark during a Muskingum Valley League road victory over River View.

Addy, the daughter of Robin and Mica Sichina, has tallied 623 assists thus far this year for a career total of 1,237 and counting for the Colts, who have put together another strong season with a current record of 18-1, including a 16 game winning streak.

"I never really expected it since I started playing setter halfway through last year," Sichina said of reaching the 1,000 career assist mark. "Prior to that, I wasn't really on track to break any records or do anything super crazy. I was kind of shocked to do it, but for sure it would never have happened if not for my team and my awesome group of hitters."

That consistent influx of standout performers, along with plenty of hard work, has turned the Colts into one of the top teams in the state of Ohio.

Meadowbrook's impressive resume includes back-to-back OHSAA Final Four state tournament appearances the past two seasons. The Colts have reeled off 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.

Sichina reaches milestone despite late start, position change

Making Sichina's achievement truly impressive and noteworthy is the fact that she didn't even take over setter duties for the Colts until midway through last season. She reached the prestigious 1,000 career assist plateau in just roughly a year while getting on-the-job training to play the setter position.

Last season, the Colts were coming off a magical season the year before by reaching the Ohio High School Athletic Association's coveted Division III Final Four. Meadowbrook looked poised to possibly make a return trip to the OHSAA Final Four. But about midway through the year, Zehnder and the Colts were dealt a big blow when starting setter Addy Wiggins was forced to leave the team due to health reasons.

Zehnder had to move quickly to name a new setter and despite little experience at the position. Sichina was her first choice to fill the spot for a few reasons, according to the veteran Colts head coach.

"Addy's story is super different than your typical varsity setter," Zehnder said. "Since her freshman year, she's always wanted to be with the varsity team. That was our first Final Four team with senior leaders like Camden Black, Megan Devillez, Ella Jefferis ... so some really good players.

"But she was not fazed going against them," Zehnder added. "I've never had a player like that, just absolutely no fear in her. She wanted to go up against the best and challenge herself to keep up. Just the ultimate competitor, with a real drive to be the best."

So with the unexpected loss of Addy Wiggins, Zehnder felt confident her talented young player would be up to the challenge facing her.

"I just have faith in Addy to do whatever I ask of her," Zehnder explained. "She's just a really athletic and intelligent player who also has great work ethic. I was confident she would do whatever was required to get the job done, and she has done just that. I mean, some setters who play the position a full four years don't get to 1,000 assists in their careers."

Embracing the new challenge, Sichina makes seamless transition

Sichina was perfectly content starting at an outside hitter spot last season as a sophomore for the strong Meadowbrook squad.

But when Zehnder made the decision to move Sichina into the critical setter position on a highly skilled, veteran team looking for another Final Four appearance, the talented sophomore, at the time, never flinched.

Sichina simply embraced the challenge and quickly made the position her own. As a result, the Colts never skipped a beat with Sichina providing outstanding play at setter. The result: That second consecutive trip to the OHSAA Final Four became a reality.

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"I had really not played much setter here at Meadowbrook, but did play it some with my club team. So really didn't have much experience playing setter," said Sichina, who is also one of the top pitchers in the Eastern District for the regional qualifying Colts softball team. "With all my sports I play, if I feel like I'm playing bad I kind of tell myself that I'm the best setter, I'm the best hitter or I'm the best pitcher.

"Sometimes you kind of have to trick yourself into thinking you're good, and that seems to work," Sichina joked. "Kind of mentally thinking like that helped me with my confidence, I think. When one of my hitters gets a kill, that really feels good and also helps my confidence also."

Sichina admitted being a young, inexperienced sophomore stepping into a key position on a defending Final Four team and taking over for a proven veteran like Wiggins did bring with it some nerves in the early going.

"I did put a lot of pressure on myself to be perfect and to be as good as Addy was at first," Sichina said. "But then I realized I had to be my own person. Everybody will help me get to where I wanted to be on the floor, and it just kind of clicked, we all communicate well.

"We can get on each other a bit when needed, trying to help each other" Sichina continued. "And nobody gets all upset or anything about it, we are like a family and all have the same goals. Getting another MVL title and getting back to the Final Four and hopefully taking it a step or two further this year."

Now Sichina will continue to add to her career assist totals and be a key cog in Meadowbrook's quest to capture a fifth consecutive MVL title followed by a third straight appearance in the OHSAA's elite Final Four.

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

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Colts' Addy Sichina embraces challenge to reach career milestone