Meadowbrook volleyball impressive with opening night sweep over rival Tri-Valley

BYESVILLE - Expectations are high for the Meadowbrook High volleyball team this season, coming off their second consecutive trip to regionals with an impressive 24-2 record last season.

Head coach Kelly Zehner's talented squad returns the entire squad from a year ago, with hopes of making it three regional berths in a row and hopefully, followed by a trip to the state championship this time around.

On Tuesday night, the Lady Colts put forth an impressive opening night performance in rolling past Muskingum Valley League rival Tri-Valley in three straight sets by scores of 25-16, 25-15, 25-9.

Meadowbrook never trailed in the match, as the Lady Colts looked in mid-season form in front of a packed crowd inside the Colts' Corral.

"That was a really nice way to start the season," Zehnder offered with a smile. "I thought my senior leadership was excellent, but really it's not just the seniors, I have juniors in there that have as much experience themselves. So don't want to leave them out as well.

"Our defense was really a plus I thought," Zehnder added. "Karly (Launder), Cam (Black) and Mylee (Arnold) in the back row were really strong. And Myla Norman I thought really played lights out. Offensively we were able to spread everything out and attack them, and that was an outstanding effort as well."

Meadowbrook started off quickly in Game 1, reeling off the first five points of the night to set the tone early with a 5-0 edge with junior Karly Launder doing the honors behind the service line. Tri-Valley ended the run with junior Eva Dittmar recording a kill to make it 5-1.

Meadowbrook maintained control and extended the lead out to 14-6 with senior Kendyl Cannon racking up five consecutive points with senior Camden Black adding a big assist with a trio of thunderous kills in the run.

Tri-Valley attempted to stay close and pulled within 16-11 on a pair of back-to-back points from junior Kenzie Albertson, but that was as close as the Lady Scotties got.

Leading 20-16, Black stepped back behind the service line and delivered four straight winners, including a pair of aces to give the Lady Colts game point at 24-16.

Senior Megan Devillez then banged home the game winner with a cross-court kill for the final count of 25-16.

Meadowbrook then coasted to victories in the next two games to complete the MVL home court sweep.

Tri-Valley first-year coach Dani Lamonica knew her team was in for a stern test with taking on the Lady Colts to open up MVL play.

"We had a good game plan tonight, we just didn't execute it very well," Lamonica offered. "They are very talented team, and this is a tough place to play. I think our nerves got the best of us, at times. We only have two returning lettermen and start two freshmen.

"So we are very inexperienced, but we are starting to mesh," Lamonica added. "Right now we are making a lot of mental mistakes, which you have with a young team. We wanted to play Meadowbrook early, thought we would fight harder than we did. But now we know where we need to go as a team."

NEXT- Tri-Valley will host Maysville on Thursday at home, while Meadowbrook travels to Crooksville. Both sites will be 5:30 p.m. JV start times.

Coshocton def. John Glenn, 25-19, 27-25, 23-25, 25-20

COSHOCTON - Visiting John Glenn Muskies fell short against Coshocton in a Muskingum Valley League crossover match on Tuesday evening.

Kara Fields hit 13 kills with four blocks and Emma Briggs added eight kills, three aces and 13 digs to pace the Lady Muskies' attack. Hannah Demattio chipped in five kills and five blocks, Emma Dolan four kills, 10 digs and four blocks, Aleea Musselman three kills, 14 digs and five blocks and Lauren Blair 26 assists and 20 digs.

JG reserves picked up a 26-24, 20-25, 25-20 win, as Brelynn Barr had six kills, 11 assists, three digs and three blocks, Lily Robinson seven assists and four digs and Aubrey Larrick four kills and five digs.

NEXT - John Glenn will host Philo on Thursday at 5 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Lady Colts sweep past Lady Scotties in MVL opening night match-up