THE absence has only been a year, but it has been a long wait for the St. Paul volleyball team. After losing a district final last season, the Flyers will return to Dayton for their sixth appearance in the Division VI OHSAA state volleyball championships. The Flyers, ranked fifth in the state with a 24-3 record, claimed state championships in 2001 and 2006.

In ‘07 St. Paul lost in the state finals to two-time defending state champion Marion Local.

Four current Flyers contributed on that 2007 team, meaning St. Paul will have plenty of state-level experience tomorrow at 4 p.m. in the Nutter Center.

Middle hitter Amber Welfle started as a freshman middle hitter on the 2006 title team. Joining her as a contributor on the 2007 runner-up team were hitters Hanna Livengood, Emily Nickoli and setter Kaylee Bundschuh. Welfle made the first team All-Ohio. Bundschuh and Livengood were named All-Ohio honorable mentions.

“It is very valuable that they have that experience,” head coach Nancy Miller said. “We saw that at regionals last week. The girls have a comfort level and it sets the other kids at ease.”

Welfle has tried to pass on what she has learned being through a state title win and finishing as a runner-up.

“I am trying to pass on that family feeling,” she said. “You need everyone on the floor. Everyone is a necessary part of the team.”

Also working as a motivating factor for this year’s squad was the district final loss of a year ago.

“That loss hurt,” Miller said. “The team does not want to experience that again. It has been a determining factor all season.”

The Flyers will take on seventh-ranked Tuscarawas Central Catholic (25-2). The Saints are led by All-Ohio second team middle hitters Molly Lawless and Millie Patchan.

“They have two good middles,” Miller said. “They are very solid in passing and seem to be very consistent. We will have to play very solid middle defense.”

Offensively Miller believes her team matches up well.

“We have a lot of offensive threats,” she said. “We have been very balanced all season. Every hitter is a huge threat and that’s unique. This team is very humble and give credit to each other. It has been a great thing about them.”

Welfle agrees.

“Our balance is very strong,” she said. “And credit our setter. Kaylee is very consistent and always puts the hitters in a good position to put the ball down.”

While the Flyers have experienced senior leaders, they also feature youth in important roles. Libero Corynne Smith was All-Ohio honorable mention as a sophomore.

“Corynne started as a freshman,” Miller said. “She is not a sophomore. She is a seasoned veteran. She is team leader. She is a general in the back row.”

Freshman middle hitter Olivia Livengood, younger sister of Hanna, has also been a big contributor.

“We don’t skip a beat when she is in the game,” Miller said. “She is very explosive. While she really respects her older sister Hanna, Amber has been a great role model for Olivia. She knows what it is like to play middle hitter as a freshman.”

The other semifinal game features the top two ranked teams in the final D-IV state coaches volleyball poll. Marion Local is looking for its third straight D-IV state title. Marion (27-0) defeated then defending state champs St. Paul in the 2007 championship game. Marion defended the crown last season and are looking for a three-peat. The undefeated Flyers are led by All-Ohio first team junior outside hitter Alyssa Winter, All-Ohio second team senior setter Shelby Moeller and All-Ohio honorable mention junior libero Alyse Bergman team. Standing in the way of another title game appearance is second ranked Hopewell-Loudon. The Chieftains (26-1) are making their first return trip to state since winning five straight state titles from 1997-2001.

“Marion Local are what everyone sees them to be,” Miller said. “They have won two straight titles and they have a lot of returning players. They are very good on both sides of the ball. They are very balanced and tough to beat because they because of they don’t make mistakes.”

Hopewell-Loudon is led by All-Ohio first team senior middle hitter Brittany Egbert and All-Ohio honorable mention senior outside setter Brianna Richey.

“They are a big powerful team up front,” Miller said. “They have a very powerful offensive team.”

With the top two ranked teams on the other side of the bracket, Miller is not worried about her team peaking ahead.

“They kids have been good about that all year,” Miller said. “We played a tough schedule and at some tough tournaments. The kids are focused solely on Central Catholic.”

The D-IV state title game will be played Saturday at 1 p.m.