“This is our fifth time (making a regional final), and it’s been a goal that we’ve worked for,” said Katie Duy, who has been Orange’s coach since 2015. “What I appreciate about this group is that they don’t get rattled. They’re going to make mistakes, but they’re a group that’s all played high-level club and they’ve all been in high-level situations and have been able to rise up to the challenge in those moments.” 

Pickerington Central was making its first regional appearance since 1994 — when the district still had only one school — despite having just two key seniors. One of those, however, is outside hitter Myriah Massey, who will play women’s beach volleyball for Florida State. 

“The nerves just got the best of us,” said Central coach Jeannie Krueger, whose team finished 22-4. “They’re athletes and they won’t give up. They’ll fight to the end, and that’s what they did. Pickerington was its own school in 1994 when they last won a district title, so it’s all new to all of our kids. What we talked about in the locker room is that you don’t get good at big games until you play in big games.” 

That’s become commonplace for the Pioneers considering they had been to six consecutive regional tournaments before losing in a district final last season. 

Barron, who has committed to Houston, finished with 15 kills and 22 digs to lead the Pioneers.