The Warren volleyball team celebrates after defeating Circleville in four sets in Saturday’s district championship match at Southeastern High School in Chillicothe. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

VINCENT — In the sport of volleyball, you need all six players on the court to be on the same page to have success.

It’s easier said than done, but it helps when your players have good relationships off the court. When you combine a tremendous amount of talent with impeccable chemistry, that’s when you have a chance at something special.

That has been the story for the Warren volleyball team this season. The Warriors have racked up 21 wins and are coming off their first district championship in 25 years.

“They come in day-in and day-out and do every little thing possible for this success,” said Warren head coach Ann Skufca.

“For the seniors, they were the start of this change. I couldn’t be happier for them, as well as every member on this team. It’s a lot of hours in the gym. With the seniors being able to work with each other for the past two seasons, especially with Madyson (Long) and Payge (Cornell), countless hours of trying to find that right communication of what each wants.”

Cornell and Long had displayed their strong connection in Saturday’s district final win against Circleville. Cornell finished the match with 50 assists while Long amassed 32 kills as Warren won in four sets.

Cornell, listed at just 5-foot-1 on Warren’s roster, knows exactly where Long likes the ball and routinely sets her up perfectly. Once Long gets in the air, there are few players in the state that can stop the Ohio University commit.

For the Warren senior duo, it starts away from the volleyball court.

“Our setter-hitter connection, it’s usually on pretty well,” Long said. “We always have that chemistry going. I think a lot of it comes from spending a lot of time together outside of volleyball.”

For Cornell, that chemistry is there with Warren’s other hitters as well, including Sydney Starcher, Elayna Greenwalt and Bailey Saliba.

“We are together 24-7 and I think becoming friends outside of volleyball has to do with your connection inside of volleyball,” Cornell explained. “I think that’s a really important part of our team’s chemistry.”

SCOUTING THE COLTS

Warren will look to keep its historic season going Thursday when it takes on Meadowbrook in the regional semifinals.

The match is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Pickerington North, with the winner taking on either River View or London at 2 p.m. Saturday in the regional championship.

The Colts come into Thursday’s match with an impressive 24-1 record. They swept Beaver Local in Saturday’s district title match.

“Meadowbrook seems like a solid team,” Long said, “but I think if we play our game and we have the heart and we have the hustle, I think we can take it.”

Meadowbrook is coached by Kelly Zehnder. Two years ago, Zehnder led the Colts past Fort Frye in a district championship match. Meadowbrook went on to make the Final Four that year, and then got back to the state semifinals last year. So, the Colts have been here before.

This year, MHS lost to Sheridan in five sets in the third match of the year, but has won 22 straight since. The Colts are led by Nat Norman, who had 12 kills against Beaver. Nora Smithbergher added 11 while Katie Stoney chipped in eight.

Warren is ready for the challenge, and has the advantage of knowing there will be plenty of royal blue in white in the Pickerington North stands.

“The best community ever,” Long said. “Them coming up (to Southeastern) just to watch us means a lot. I can’t wait to go for more and have more people show up. It’s going to be awesome.”

Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@mariettatimes.com.