Patterson Mill reached the state semifinal last season and returns the talented core that drove it there. Three former All-County selections — Sophie Lopano, Angela Kim and Mia Jelen — are all back in 2025.

Can any new contenders emerge and join the Huskies playing deep into November? Most coaches surveyed by The Aegis pinpointed Bel Air as Patterson Mill’s top challenger for the local crown.

This fall will also be the first volleyball season under the redefined Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference. The new layout puts the 10 Harford County schools in two divisions of five teams each, with each league winner earning a trip to the conference semifinal game with an UCBAC championship game appearance on the line.

Here’s what to watch for this season in Harford County girls volleyball. (Editor’s note: not all teams responded to requests for information.)

Aberdeen

Coach: Robin Landis, third season

Last season: 1-15

Top returners: Seniors Niana Coar (M) and Jasmine Udosen (O).

Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Ashling Rodriguez (M); freshman Cameron Murrell (O).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “There are a lot of newcomers to our team and we are eager to have them mesh with our returning players. Our goal is to work together, support one another on and off the court, stay positive and take home some wins this year.” — Landis

Bel Air

Coach: Dave Simon, ninth season

Last season: 15-2, state quarterfinalists

Top returners: Seniors Emma Duvall (S), Annalise Lewis (OH) and Hayden Pennypacker (O).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Macie Kane (MH); sophomore Faith Zorn (RS); freshman Bre Isom (L).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “We need to stay (and get) healthy and remain disciplined with the small things. The team theme this year is ‘no small things.’ The team has the talent to have a special year.” — Simon

C. Milton Wright

Coach: Danielle Spigler, first season

Last season: 11-3, state quarterfinalists

Top returners: Seniors Grace Boseck (MB), Addison Bradley (L) and Samantha Shoemaker (RS).

Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Mallory Davis (S) and Stella Musto (MB); freshman Anna Goss (MB).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “We have six strong returning players this year and eight talented newcomers, all of them very versatile players. Finding ways to grow together as a team, and the best place for each player to contribute is our goal. We need to develop those setter-hitter connections to be able to consistently score points.” — Spigler

Edgewood

Coach: Hannah Whitmire, seventh season

Last season: 11-4

Top returners: Senior Lisette Ahlijah (RS); juniors Samarra Brodbeck (O) and Peyton Parise (L).

Newcomers to watch: Juniors Shayla Arroyo (DS) and Brianna Tomcho (S); sophomore Samaya Cox (RS).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “We need to continue to develop mental toughness and strengthen our passing and defense.” — Whitmire

Fallston

Coach: Christopher Kraft, second season

Last season: 5-10, region finalists

Top returners: Seniors Mary Pfaff (L) and Natalie Gross (OPP); junior Sloane Mister (OH).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Lexi Rapo (DS); sophomores Sara Frounfelker (OH) and Abbi Wagener (OH).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “If our serve receive is consistent, we have the hitters to have a really good offense.” — Kraft 

Harford Tech

Coach: Caitlin Torley, fourth season

Last season: 5-11

Top returners: Seniors Faith Andreen (MH) and Jaya Dwaileebe (S); sophomore Emme DuBose (L).

Newcomers to watch: Juniors Jamila Camacho (S) and CC Woodland (OH); sophomore Ianna Velez (OH).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “The previous varsity team and previous JV team will need to mesh their styles and playing habits (getting used to each other’s setting, seam coverage, etc). We also had a very negative season last year, so making sure that everyone stays positive is necessary for our success.” — Torley

Havre de Grace

Coach: Ashley Algard, seventh season

Last season: 2-11

Top returners: Seniors Tahirah Fowler (MB) and Sophia Holloway (OH); junior Sabree Knox (OH).

Newcomers to watch: Juniors Ashley Aderton (L) and Cadence Bolden (OH); sophomore Anu Taylor (S).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “In order to succeed, the Warriors must learn to overcome tough mental battles including sets with a large score discrepancy or personal/team errors. They must also learn to work together as a team after losing about eight seniors to graduation, all of which included athletes who committed to colleges for volleyball or another sport.” — Algard

Joppatowne

Coach: Susan Arena, 11th season

Last season: 3-10

Top returners: Seniors Alyssa Bowersox (L), Tijay’e Hardy (MB) and Tyionna Jones (MB).

Newcomers to watch: Juniors Shakori Green (S) and Ronika Williams (S); sophomore Peyton Smith (OH).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “Our team needs to be able to run a quicker offense and put up a consistent block for our defense to read the ball correctly.” — Arena

North Harford

Coach: Jacob Birchfield, second season

Last season: 9-4

Top returners: Seniors Arlynn Goodman (L) and Alex Manzari (S); junior Tara Stone (OH).

Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Ellia Cochran (DS), Evalyn Childs (MH) and Ava Jovetic (S).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “Our star middle hitter graduated last year and our other middle hitter has switched to hitting right side. So we had to bring on two new middle hitters this season and I really have been focusing on coaching them and getting them accustomed to varsity.” — Birchfield

Patterson Mill

Coach: Joshua Wagener, second season

Last season: 16-3, state semifinalists

Top returners: Seniors Mia Jelen (O), Angela Kim (L) and Sophia Lopano (O).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Cadena Pfister (S); sophomores Keely Glowacki (M) and Addi Poe (O).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “No one in the state can keep up with our outsides. We just need our serve receive to get the ball where it needs to go and keep us in system. We also really need Keely (our starting middle) to step up, be confident, and be the player we all know she can be.” — Wagener

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