Baltimore Sun high school volleyball preview for 2025 season

Here’s what you need to know for the 2025 high school volleyball season in the Baltimore area:

Storylines to watch

IAAM A Conference looks improved

To say the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference has improved would be an understatement. Three really stand out. Maryvale Prep has won the league the past four seasons and is a contender for a fifth straight title. The new kid on the block will be Annapolis Area Christian, which is loaded with quality club players. Garrison Forest moves to the A Conference after winning the B Conference the past two years, and the Grizzlies will have two NCAA Division I players on their roster in Bryah Beaux (Kentucky) and Dawn Pena (Hofstra).

Reclassification is here again

The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association reclassified its schools by size every again. With Class 3A being generally regarded as the toughest and deepest in the state, Bel Air and Glenelg both benefitted by moving down to Class 2A. Severn Run will move from 3A to 4A in only their second season as a school. Perhaps the toughest move will be two Howard County schools: Reservoir, which will move into Class 3A after playing in 4A school the last two seasons, and Centennial, which lost in the Class 2A state championship last season but moves to 3A.

Can the Baltimore area top the west?

Last season, half of the state champs — Williamsport (Class 2A) and North Hagerstown (Class 3A) — came from Washington County. The middle-western part of the state has seen the rise of prominent club teams, and they continue to feed those programs. How good are they? Well, Williamsport has won 17 state titles (most in the state) while North Hagerstown has won the past three Class 3A titles and six overall. Clear Spring and Smithsburg, schools that are usually in the mix in Class 1A, are always tough to beat.

So, which local team can win it all?

The best bet is probably Patterson Mill in Class 1A. The Huskies return almost their entire lineup from a team that lost to Clear Spring in the state semifinals the past three years. In Class 2A, both Bel Air and Glenelg return some substantial firepower. The top teams in Class 3A are Class 4A are Howard and Broadneck, respectively, and the Bruins will be looking to avenge their loss in the Class 4A state final to Richard Montgomery.

A surprise in store?

Both of the area’s newest high schools — Severn Run in Anne Arundel County and Guilford Park in Howard County — continue to improve quickly. Severn Run made a run at a regional title last year before falling to neighbor Old Mill, and Guilford Park is coached by veteran Karen Kart and features Chikanele Onukwugha, an outside hitter who played on a national championship club team last season. Annapolis Area Christian, though not typically a volleyball school, is loaded with club stars this season and is the favorite to win the IAAM A Conference.

Players to watch

Bryah Breaux, Garrison Forest, outside hitter, senior

An offensive force who had 241 kills, 46 aces, 22 blocks and 82 digs last year while leading the Grizzlies to the IAAM B Conference title, Breaux will be relied on to lead the program into the A Conference. She is committed to play at Kentucky next season.

Emma Duvall, Bel Air, setter, senior

Duvall is an assist machine for Bel Air and also led the team in aces last year with 34 to with 113 digs.

Sophie Harari, Maryvale Prep, outside hitter, junior

Harari provides the leadership for the four-time defending IAAM A Conference champion Lions, as well as most of the offensive firepower. Her coach says she is getting looked at by college coaches and she just keeps getting better.

Riley Ko, Reservoir, libero, sophomore

After leading Reservoir’s defense with 275 digs to go with 44 assists and 42 aces last year, the versatile Ko will be the defensive captain for the Gators. Her coach says she “rules the court” when she’s playing.

Elaina Murphy, South Carroll, outside hitter, senior

Last year’s Carroll County Times Player of the Year led the Cavaliers to a 15-1 record last year. Murphy had 175 kills, 45 aces, 14 blocks and 104 digs in 2024.

Chikanele Onukwugha, Guilford Park, outside hitter, sophomore

Another in a great line of Howard County volleyball sisters, she might be the best of the bunch. She was the team leader in kills (201) and digs (168) while also serving 36 aces last season before playing on a club team that won a national title this offseason.

Dakota Pentorn, Annapolis Area Christian, setter, junior

A transfer from Arundel, she will be counted on to distribute the ball to all of the high-octane offensive pieces AACS has. Her leadership will be a key factor for the up-and-coming Eagles.

Sydnee Peters, Centennial, opposite hitter, senior

Peters didn’t play last year, and her offense was missed on a team that lost in the Class 2A state final. She might be the missing piece that puts Centennial over the top.

Kennedy Smith, Broadneck, outside hitter, senior

Smith, a four-year varsity player on one of the area’s most consistent teams, returns after tallying 228 kills to go with 20 blocks and 36 digs for the Class 4A state finalist Bruins.

Jasmin Tucker, St. Paul’s, right side, junior

Tall and powerful, she came out of nowhere last season to lead the Gators to the IAAM A Conference final. Her power and leadership will be needed this season if St. Paul’s is to compete in a much-improved conference.

Preseason Top 15 teams

1. Broadneck

Coach: Tracey Regalbuto

Last season: 16-4 overall, No. 4 Sun ranking

Postseason: Class 4A state finalist

Outlook: The Bruins return 11 players and six starters from a team that made it to the state championship game last season before falling to Richard Montgomery in the Class 4A final. That list features Smith, a first-team All-Metro performer, and another hitter in senior Anna Graves. The Bruins face a tough schedule this year and it should help prepare them for a postseason run in a tough classification. Broadneck has been close to winning it all a few times in recent years but this might be their best chance to get over the hump.

2. Howard

Coach: Grant Scott

Last season: 18-1, No. 1

Postseason: Class 3A state semifinalist

Outlook: Howard had a stellar season last season, falling two games short of their ultimate goal of a state title. The Lions must replace Kaleigh Williams, last year’s Baltimore Sun Player of the Year, but plenty of talent remains as they lost only two starters from last year. Junior setter Imagine Peltier, a second-team All-Metro pick last year, returns and could become the school’s all-time assists leader by the end of the season. Senior middle blocker Dylann Loggins will try to fill the void left by Williams.

3. Maryvale Prep

Coach: Melissa Little

Last season: 12-2, No. 8

Postseason: IAAM A Conference champion

Outlook: The Lions are the four-time defending conference champions, and they return a group that is hungry for another title. All but one starter returns, so they will have plenty of experience to rely upon. The strength of the team will be its defense. Sophie Harari, who was a second-team All-Metro performer as a sophomore last season, will provide much of the offensive power as an outside hitter alongside senior outside Abbi Tranchini.

4. Annapolis Area Christian

Coach: Jennifer Groshek

Last season: 6-7, unranked

Postseason: Did not qualify in IAAM A Conference

Outlook: The Eagles have a slew of outstanding players who have dominated for their club teams, and Groshek is excited about their potential. They will be young but powerful. Scarlet Netherton, a club-standout freshman hitter, will lead the offense while Pentorn transferred from Arundel to quarterback the offense and provide leadership. Sophomore middle blocker Abisola Ademeyo will also be counted on to be a big contributor. But without any history, finding chemistry will be a tall task in a much more competitive IAAM A Conference.

Arundel vs North Hagerstown 3A volleyball championship

5. Arundel

Coach: Ashley Yuscavage

Last season: 12-5, No. 7

Postseason: Class 3A state quarterfinalist

Outlook: Traditionally one of the area’s top programs, the Wildcats lost three starters from last year’s team that won a region title but will still be a factor in the tough Anne Arundel County. Ka’lani Richardson, a senior outside hitter, will provide most of the power for the Arundel offense, while versatile senior Bailey Swinton, a libero and outside hitter, will also play a key role. Yuscavage says the strength of the team will be their serving and passing. A core group of seniors returns to provide leadership, but how quickly the everyone gels together will tell a lot about how the Wildcats do.

6. Garrison Forest

Coach: Phyllis May

Last season: 15-2, unranked

Postseason: IAAM B Conference champion

Outlook: The Grizzlies make a long-overdue move to the IAAM A Conference this year, and May has a loaded lineup. Returning is Breaux, a right side and Kentucky commit. She will also have senior Dawn Pena, an outside hitter and Hofstra commit. Julianna LaRocco, another senior, will be the setter and defensive specialist. These three are as good as any trio in the area, but it will take more than that to compete regularly. Garrison Forest has been building toward this season, and it expects to compete for the conference crown.

7. Dulaney

Coach: Cary Lyon

Last season: 18-1, No. 9

Postseason: Class 3A state quarterfinalist

Outlook: Lyon did a good job last year with an inexperienced squad, but the Lions have since grown up. Dulaney will move up from Class 3A to 4A, and the switch should actually help them make a deeper postseason run. The Lions graduated two middles, and finding their replacement could be a challenge. Junior setter Serafina Reckamp will run the offense, which will be powered by seniors Eileen Lee, a libero, and Cami Reed. Lyon said a lack of height has been an issue, however.

8. Bel Air

Coach: Dave Simon

Last season: 15-2, No. 12

Postseason: Class 3A state quarterfinalist

Outlook: A traditional power in Harford County, Bel Air returned to prominence last year after a down season the year before. The news got even better for the Bobcats when they moved from Class 3A to 2A this season. They will be led by senior middle blocker Annalise Lewis, who will provide the power for the offense. Duvall will be the floor general, and will lead an experienced group of seven seniors. If this group has a weakness, it might be a lack of height. Look for the Bobcats to battle it out with Patterson Mill for another county title.

9. Hereford

Coach: Dave Schreiner

Last season: 12-5, unranked

Postseason: Class 2A North Region II finalist

Outlook: The Bulls were down in 2024, but they appear to have reloaded enough to be a contender again. Left-handed junior setter Sophia Kefi will captain the offense, and Hereford will count on her leadership. Camryn Treon-Sapp, a senior outside hitter, will be a presence at the net. Senior libero Jane Skiller will handle a much-improved back row. The program has seen an influx of girls who play club ball, which should make them even better and among the favorites in Baltimore County.

10. Patterson Mill

Coach: Josh Wagener

Last season: 15-3, No. 14

Postseason: Class 1A state semifinalist

Outlook: The Huskies have fallen to Washington County’s Clear Spring in the state playoffs the past three years, but Wagener thinks he has the team that can end the streak this season. Seven seniors return, including outsides Sophie Lapano and Mia Jelen. Brooke Bezzett will again be the setter. Wagener loves the heart the team has shown, and they are driven by how close they have come to a winning a state title.

11. Reservoir

Coach: Carole Ferrante

Last season: 13-4, No. 2

Postseason: Class 4A state semifinalist

Outlook: The Gators are back in Class 3A but they might have the team that can overcome the challenges of the state’s toughest classification. Although six players graduated, plenty of talent remains. They will be led by Ko, who played libero on a club team that won an under-15 national championship this past season. She will be supported by Christina San, a senior middle blocker, and setter Ashley Nguyen, also a senior. Ferrante says the strength of the team is its versatility. The Gators will need to find their offense early and survive a tough schedule.

12. Eastern Tech

Coach: David Thorne

Last season: 13-5, No. 15

Postseason: Class 2A state semifinalist

Outlook: The Mavericks came out of nowhere last year and made a valiant run at the state title. Although they lost a few players from last season, a core of eight solid returnees led by senior middle blocker Laila Hartley returns. Senior libero Keira Siemers is also back, and Thorne is excited about freshmen additions of Janelle Gacosta, a middle blocker, and setter-outside hitter Emma Rogers.

13. Glenelg

Coach: Christoper Fox

Last season: 13-4, No. 5

Postseason: Class 3A South Region I finalist

Outlook: The Gladiators made it to the regional final as the smallest 3A program in the state, but they move back to Class 2A this year, which should be a bonus. Fox takes over the program this year, and he’ll benefit from a great core of returnees. All-Metro senior performer Isard Berndes returns, as does opposite hitter and senior Avery Hubbard. Despite their impressive record last season, the Gladiators made a lot of unforced errors and were, at times, their own worst enemy.

14. Crofton

Coach: Greg LeGrand

Last season: 9-8, unranked

Postseason: Class 4A state quarterfinalist

Outlook: The Cardinals, loaded with club players, started three freshmen last year in an up-and-down 2024 season. Crofton will be led by sophomore outside hitters Miley Keyes and Vivien Sopha and is big and deep up front, which will help them in a tough Anne Arundel County. LeGrand says he sees a lot of improvement from last year, but they are still younger than most contending teams.

15. Severn Run

Coach: Daniel Banaszynski

Last season: 8-6, unranked

Postseason: Class 3A South Region I semifinalist

Outlook: The Wolves held their own in their first year as a varsity program, and there’s plenty to build on. They have a core group of club players who will provide experience to an otherwise young group. Most of the power will come from sophomore Savannah Stewart and junior middle blocker Isabelle Adcock. Libero Jazlynn Dubois, a senior, will captain the defense. They likely won’t sneak up on anybody in a competitive Anne Arundel County this fall.

Others considered: Centennial (11-8), St. Paul’s (7-8), River Hill (12-5), South Carroll (15-1), Westminster (13-3)

Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13.