Bel Air has been the county juggernaut for half a decade. The last time they didn’t win the Harford County championship was 2018. But last year’s final match – which saw the Bobcats rally from two sets down to beat Harford Tech – makes this fall all the more intriguing.

Harford Tech has made such strides to be in the conversation.

In 2022, the Cobras middled around at 7-7. Then they beat every team on their schedule that wasn’t Bel Air. And this year, Harford Tech returns most of its roster. Meanwhile, the Bobcats lost the Aegis Player of the Year Chris Couch to graduation.

One coach called Harford Tech “a force last year,” insinuating a step forward this fall. Another praised coach Gary Clement’s program, saying, “clearly [they’re] the team that is heavily favored to win the county this year. It is hard to see another team that can compete with them at this point.”

For years, that was how coach’s spoke about Bel Air. Can Harford Tech meet such lofty expectations? The two powerhouses meet first at 5 p.m. on Sept 11, then again at 5 p.m. on Oct. 14.

Perhaps a third meeting is destined for the playoffs.

Here’s a look around the county (Editor’s note: not all teams responded to requests for information):

Aberdeen

Coach: Coach Placzankis, second season

Last year: 1-13

Top returners: Senior Tyler Murdock (M) and junior Louis Lim (L)

Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Bryan Eng (OH) and Sam Boyer (OH).

Coach’s outlook: “I think this team can go further than last year. We’re learning and going to be doing our best to hit the ground running with our first match against Bel Air on the ninth of September.”

Bel Air

Coach: Larry Tsomos, 30th season

Last year: 16-0, Harford County champs

Top returners: Seniors Jack Svoboda (OH) and Andrew DiEdoardo (OH).

Newcomers to watch: Seniors Arvin Dong (DS) and Austin Deyo (OH); juniors Isaac Torres (OH), Kaleb Osei-Boateng (OH), Willie Lam (S), Joey Dinan (MH), Jackson McCray (MH), Gavin Lurz (OH) and Matt Studnicki (OH).

Coach’s outlook: “We have a young team. We look forward to having a good time, learning how to play volleyball and putting together a good game every time.”

C. Milton Wright

Coach: Shawn Duffalo, fourth season

Last year: 12-2, Harford County semifinalist

Top returners: Seniors Julian Datesman (O) and Kandin Illigan (L); juniors Brody Hichkad (O), Ben Silcox (O) and Mason Crouch (M).

Newcomers to watch: Senior Nnamdi Ozoilo (M).

Coach’s outlook: “C. Milton finds themselves in an unusual position compared to past years. The team has some very strong returning players, but also has multiple positions which remain uncertain. The team will clearly have a learning curve and could be a very different team at the end of the year compared to the beginning. The big question is which of the newcomers will emerge, and can they fill the shoes that were left behind from last year’s All-County departures?

Fallston

Coach: Bill Stewart, third season

Last year: 7-7

Top returners: Senior Jerry Dinan (L/DS) and Ethan Seilback (L/OH); junior Joey Gross (OH); sophomores Jackson DeNichillo (MH), Shaughn Kelly (M/OH) and Luke Price (S).

Newcomers to watch: Senior Zachary Boczar (OH); sophomores Flynn Callan (OH) and Alex Kegan (OH); freshman Reese Koppelman (L).

Coach’s outlook: “Fallston comes into the season with a young group with less experience than in years past. The Cougars challenge will be to work hard and get better as a team as the year moves forward. I’m looking forward to watching this group develop into a competitive team.”

Harford Tech

Coach: Gary Clement, fourth season

Last year: 13-2, Harford County finalist

Top returners: Seniors Saxon Fuller (OH) and Sam Thomas (L).

Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Philip Kozlowski (S) and Peter Kozlowski (OH).

Coach’s outlook: “The goal this year is to make it to the championship and win it; however, we know how strong our competition always is.”

Havre de Grace

Coach: Bob Reider, fifth season

Last year: 5-9

Top returners: Senior Shane Cardwell (MB) and Hayden Byrns (MB/OH).

Newcomers to watch: N/A

Coach’s outlook: “We are a young team looking to develop through the course of the season.”

John Carroll

Coach: Jordan Smith, second season

Last year: 14-6

Top returners: Senior Nikko Sohn (OH)

Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Mason Proctor (L) and Tyler Olivi (S).

Coach’s outlook: “We have some young players and some guys who are new the sport, so we are looking for a lot of growth this year. We have a lot of great kids and athletes, so we are hoping to learn and get better with each practice and game.”

Patterson Mill

Coach: Lucas Daniel, second season

Last year: 7-6, Harford County semifinalist

Top returners: Seniors Aidan Mackowiak (OH) and Blaise Jones (OH); junior Cullen Young (RS).

Newcomers to watch: Senior Dylan Lewis (OH) and sophomore Titus Lyttle (S).

Coach’s outlook: “Mechanically, the team is great. Movements and technique are all phenomenal. Mental fortitude has been a weak point for our team, but once we find support for it, we will be a team to beat.”