High School Sports |

Capital Gazette 2024 high school volleyball preview: Top teams the same, but county numbers and talent are spiking

Volleyball is growing, thanks in part to the introduction of the sport in middle schools.

It certainly benefited Crofton, which struggled last year after seasons of early success. Coach Greg LeGrand fretted this year would be a rebuild until he held a few middle school clinics and a trio of talented players wandered in.

“I thought this was the best ninth grade group I’ve ever had in any sport,” LeGrand said.

It’s not an isolated incident. Volleyball participation is growing steadily year to year nationally, with a 40% growth rate between 2017 and 2023, per USA Volleyball, and 3.6% from 2022 to 2023 – the highest spike (no pun intended) the National Federation of State High School Associations reported.

There’s an obvious new team in Severn Run this fall as the high school opens. But the Wolves aren’t the only one, as flourishing numbers birthed a new private school program, too: Severn, although the Admirals don’t enter the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland this year.

Roster numbers have rarely been a major issue for teams like Broadneck and Arundel — no wonder that coaches again project the yearly favorites and county championship mainstays to be this year’s queens again. Some view Severna Park and Crofton as dark horses, teams that generally have the same advantage. But coaches of other teams — northern schools especially — are celebrating the upward turn.

“I think it will continue to grow,” Severn Run coach Daniel Banaszynski said, “and I’d love to get the boys high school programs started statewide.”

Even the boys side of the sport, something currently only represented by Archbishop Spalding in this county, is multiplying dramatically in the country, but that by no means suggests the county will add or ignore it. Anne Arundel’s Office of Athletics will review the options of adding or eliminating sports starting with the 2025-26 school year, and then again every five years.

“The workgroup will undertake a process of review that included analyzing participation data, reflecting on the recent local, regional and national trends, and considering requests and input from students and community members,” the 2024-25 AACPS Athletic Handbook states.

Those coming out on the girls side are arriving with more experience, too. Chesapeake coach Ivanna Melendez reported more and more newer players are already seasoned by club and travel teams in the offseason.

“It is getting more competitive,” Indian Creek coach Jordyn Beans said. “There are going to be more four and five sets being played, and the rosters are bigger.”

Here’s more on each team: Editor’s note: not every team responded to requests for information:

AACS

Coach: Jen Groshek, first season

Last season: 11-3, championship finalist

Region/Conference: IAAM A Conference

Top returners: Senior Ellie Hansen (S); junior Emma Reed (MB).

Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Charlotte Dittmar and Abisola Ademeyo.

Outlook: The Eagles turn a new page after sending nine seniors to the graduation stage, but those who remain are choosing not to look at this fall as a rebuilding season. The current upperclassmen will serve to anchor the shifting tides.

Coach’s comments: “We need to gel and get our setter/hitter timing and team chemistry  to develop. It is imperative for our back court to develop consistency with their passing to keep the ball in system and we believe we have the talent to do so. In order for us to be successful this season we have to develop our confidence and believe we can win.”

Annapolis

Coach: Kisha Taylor-Wallace, 17th season

Last season: 8-8

Region/Conference: 4A East Region II

Top returners: Christen Brisbane (OH), McHale Hughes (S) and Ka’Mora Lewis (MB); junior Lindsay Lyman (MH); sophomore Carolin Heyder (S/OH/RS).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Sophia Canuel (OH); sophomore Meg Ronayne (S).

Outlook: The Panthers possess solid setting, passing and hitting to keep them in games.

Coach’s comments: “Consistency will be the obstacle and getting familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”

Archbishop Spalding

Coach: Monique Butler, first season

Last season: 5-9

Region/Conference: IAAM A

Top returners: Juniors Ashlee Overley (MB) and Chloe Amrhein (MB); sophomores Milla Danek (S) and Maddie Mauro (OH).

Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Sophie Farias (OH) and Quinn Robertson (OH).

Outlook: A few returners dot the Cavaliers’ roster, but Spalding’s pretty young this fall. However, young doesn’t mean inexperienced.

Coach’s comments: “Many of the girls are experienced and have played for various club teams in the area. We have players that are versatile and are willing to play wherever they are needed. They are coachable, receptive and are willing to do what it takes to win. The obstacles we face this year is our ability to adjust to the speed of the game and get a firm grasp of our system so we may struggle with consistency of play but not with effort.”

Arundel

Coach: Ashley Yuscavage, 18th season

Last season: 20-1, championship finalist

Region/Conference:3A East Region I

Top returners: Senior Daisy Pentorn (S); juniors Bailey Swinton (L) and Spring Terry (OH).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Giuliana Leon (OH); sophomore Sophia Miga.

Outlook: Several other coaches are uncertain as to whether Arundel will be up to its typical standard this season, but Yuscavage doesn’t feel the same. Rebuilding has never been an issue for the Wildcats, who’ve journeyed to or won every available state championship since 2019, despite graduating stellar senior classes. Whether this round will affect that tradition is up to those who remain now.

Coach’s comments: “This team works really well together and looks like they will be able to push through challenges as a team. After losing a talented group of hitters to graduation, we will see new faces step up, especially offensively. We are excited about giving younger players those opportunities.”

Broadneck

Coach: Tracey Regalbuto, 10th season

Last season: 12-2

Region/Conference: 4A East Region II

Top returners: Senior Amanda Protzman (MB/OPP); juniors Sydney Lawrence (S), Kennedy Smith (OH) and Anna Graves (OH).

Outlook: The Bruins are well-armed on the road to be made the best team in the county.

Coach’s comments: “I am returning seven of nine starters from last year, all of which are juniors and two seniors. So we should be similar to last season with the growth and improvement of all those kids. We kept our numbers to only 14 kids on the roster so we could really focus on a solid lineup.”

Chesapeake

Coach: Ivanna Melendez, second season

Last season: 7-7

Region/Conference: 3A South Region I

Top returners: Junior Kailey Hare (OH/RS); sophomores Corrine Brandts (S), Gillian Price (MB), Barkley Dayton (OH/RS/DS) and Sophia Weatherspoon (DS/L).

Newcomers to watch: Juniors Emily Stevig (OH), Sarah Wheeler (OH/RS), Emily Curtin (DS), Cheyenne Hall (S) and Ava Hooper (DS/L); sophomore Kali Grunder (RS).

Outlook: The Cougars are clearly young but Melendez is thrilled by the influx of talent among them and the bond they all already share.

Coach’s comments: “For the Cougars to be successful, we will have to be putting in the hard work to capitalize on the winning scenarios, games and the extra fight to push on and off the court.”

Crofton

Last season: 11-5

Region/Conference: 4A East Region I

Coach: Greg LeGrand, fifth season

Top returners: Seniors Emily Hanna (L) and Addison Matsui (MH); junior Jordin Alexander (OH).

Top newcomers: Freshmen Miley Keyes (OH), Vivian Sopha (OPP) and Victoria Ndubueze (OPP).

Outlook: Blocking and hitting will be the Cardinals’ strength this year for the mix of under and upperclassmen.

Coach’s comments: “We also return our entire back row from last year. Our weakness is that we are young and unproven. Our outlook is very bright and hope we gel in time for playoffs.”

Indian Creek

Coach: Jordyn Beans, first season

Last season: 2-12

Region/Conference: IAAM C

Top returners: Seniors Jasmine Brewer (OH) and Karissa Johnson (L); junior Mariah Smith (OH).

Newcomers to watch: Freshman London Faust (MB).

Outlook: The Eagles are facing the season with new motivation, their new coach said.

Coach’s comments: “Our strengths are in our defense and serving. This season’s success is around energy and playing consistent, well-rounded volleyball.”

Key

Coach: Hannah Rowe, first season

2023 record: 6-10

Region/Conference: IAAM C

Top returners: Seniors Lucy Glassman, Emma Woznysmith, Kristina Ajayi and Sophia Hagan; juniors Coco Brewer, Maya Porter and Dani Nunyi; sophomores Kennedy Johnson, Kamaya Pak and Sydney Thomas.

Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Riley Catlett, Madison Davis and Charlotte Phillips.

Outlook: Senior leadership and underclass talent combine in the hopes of continuing to progress the program this year.

Coach’s comments: “The Obezags look to compete for an IAAM title this season.”

Meade

Coach: Melonie Stewart, eighth season

Last season: 9-5

Region/Conference: 4A East Region I

Top returners: Senior Zyon Austin (OH); juniors Amelia Thomas (MB), Jenna Tuazon (S) and Naomi Salgado (OPP).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Monica Strobel (DS); sophomore London Corbin (S); freshmen Alexis Needham (L) and Trinity Williams (OH).

Outlook: Numbers are down, doubtless because of the Severn Run emergence, so the focus is on more well-rounded players. The Mustangs showed more promise last year, something they’re hoping to carry on.

Coach’s comments: “Since we have some newcomers, we will need to prioritize synergy between our athletes to meet our goals.”

Old Mill

Coach: Bethany Hayden, seventh season

Last season: 11-7, state quarterfinalist

Region/Conference: 3A South Region I

Top returners: Seniors Kendall Lee (OH), Vanessa Williams (MB), Rianna Metzger (RS), Cameron Rickard (L), Brianna Hale (S) and Adison Schwerdtfeger (OH); junior Amira Billingsley (MB).

Newcomer to watch: Freshman Julia Drapalski (OH).

Outlook: The Patriots are loaded with eight seniors with years of experience, and despite moving to a different region this fall, they’ve all tasted the state tournament now. In more ways than one, this is the 11th hour for them as Severn Run took their entire junior varsity squad.

Coach’s comments: “Our returning players are stronger, wiser and hungrier than ever. Our strength is in our unity.”

Severna Park

Coach: Caitlin Mills, first season

Last season: 10-7

Region/Conference: 3A East Region I

Top returners: Senior Courtlynn Edwards (MB); junior Genevieve Willis (S), Elizabeth Ranaghan (OH) and Kathryn Rojek (L); sophomore Jennifer Hong (S).

Outlook: It’s the end of one era at Severna Park after the retirement of longtime coach Tim Dunbar and the loss of five seniors. The current Falcons squad is unseasoned, but according Mills is not lacking “hustle and effort.”

Coach’s comments: “This season the team will focus on growth all season, as we are young so we will continue to learn and improve each week. Returning two strong setters will help our offense develop quickly, as well as team leader Courtlynn Edwards.”

Severn Run

Coach: Daniel Banaszynski, first season

Last season: N/A

Region/Conference: 3A South Region I

Top returners: Juniors Hayden Haynes (MB) and Jazlynn Dubose (L); sophomores Isabella Adcock (MB) and Helena Laukaitis (S); freshman Savannah Smith (OH).

Outlook: Being new is no reason to be overlooked. The Wolves’ youth is actually its strongest point, with attention already swirling around some of its younger players. Banasynski eyes his middle blockers and serving as the team’s strength.

Coach’s comments: “We have some obstacles to overcome. We have no seniors on this team and our starters are young and untested. For us to be successful this year, we are going to have to master our passing and serve receive. We have the setting, we have the offense, but we need the passes to be there.”

South River

Coach: Maureen Carter, 30th season

Last season: 8-8

Region/Conference: 3A East Region I

Top returners: Seniors MacKenzie Mulvihill, Megyn Kelly and Karlee Hawkins.

Outlook: Numbers are slimmer this year, but Carter is adapting to the situation.

Coach’s comments: “We will have to depend on defense and endurance. With our senior leadership and experience, I feel we can be competitive and finish in the top half of the county.”

Southern

Coach: Amanda Beall, second season

Last season: 4-12

Region/Conference: 2A West Region II

Top returners: Seniors Harper Reese, Sophia Jackson, Macy Mavilia; sophomores Huntyr Marks, Madison Sutherland and Ashtyn Huggins.

Newcomers to watch: Sophomores La’Ren Watkins and Addison Conway.

Coach’s comments: “This year’s team is primarily young with a lot of heart and potential, even with the upperclassman. They are excited to be challenged and with the way preseason is looking, this season will be fun. Southern is a team to keep an eye out for.”

St. Mary’s

Coach: Sarah Heary, 6th season

Last season: 5-10

Region/Conference: IAAM B

Top returners: Seniors Natalee Parker (OH), Elise Kelso (RS) and Reese Bonney (L); junior M.E. Berzins (MB).

Newcomers to watch: Senior Eden Loiacono (OH); junior Chloe Donnelly (Setter); sophomore Ayries Lomax (RS/Setter).

Outlook: The Saints are heavy with seniors and depth, giving them a good chance to rebound to the glory days of a few years back.

Coach’s comments: “I think if we compete hard in every match we’ll give ourselves a great chance at being successful this year and improving our record from last year. The key will be finding the right combination of players that will allow us to compete at the highest level. Teamwork, communication and unselfish play will all be key factors in how our season develops.”

Coaches’ Players to Watch

Players nominated by coaches other than their own.

Kennedy Smith, Broadneck

Anna Graves, Broadneck

Daisy Pentorn, Arundel

Savannah Smith, Severn Run

Miley Keyes, Crofton

Victoria Ndubueze, Crofton

Brianna Hale, Old Mill

Kendall Lee, Old Mill

Bailey Swinton, Arundel

Jasmine Brewer, Indian Creek

Lilly Patrick, Spalding