Will Hubs Make it Four Straight Championships

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of 2029 rankings are pushed back a week as I await the finalization of many high school rosters. These rosters could have an influence in the final rankings. This provides me with an opportunity to finish my high school class reviews.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Hagerstown Hubs come into the 2025 season with three consecutive Class 3 state championships. In 2021 they lost in five to Reservoir in the semifinals. Reservoir ended up winning the state championship that year. Wootton holds the record for state championships, winning seven in a row from 1983 to 1989. Below are my picks of the three teams that are very capable of taking the crown away from North Hagerstown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Hagerstown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year the Hubs lost two of their first three matches to Howard and to Class 4 Virginia State champion James Wood. After that they went on an 18 match winning streak. The one constant about the Hubs three straight championships is they began when [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'] started her career with the Hubs as a frosh. They have won every year since. As a senior, Caydence begins her final season as a Hub. A lot of roster changes have occurred since. Caydence remains the constant. North Hagerstown has won a total of six State championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - Setter/DS <strong>Lauren Ly</strong>, left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong>, middle <strong>Eden Shupp</strong>, outside/DS <strong>Lena Cassesa</strong>, <strong>Jacqueline Wilson</strong>, outside <strong>Charlotte Williams</strong>, ds <strong>Madison Shatzer</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Critical Departures</strong> - setter <strong>Lauren Hobbs</strong>, middle <strong>Nevaeh Ware</strong> libero/ds<strong> Sydnee Wilt </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising Frosh</strong> - outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='787919' first='Charlotte' last='Booth'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment </strong>- In 2021 North Hagerstown was undefeated going into the semi-final of the State Championship. They lost in five to Reservoir, who would go on to win the state championship. When <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan']</strong> arrived as a frosh the following year the Hubs won it. Their only loss that year was to James Wood. Caydence played right side and finished fifth on the team in kills. For 2023 and 2024 Caydence moved to left side leading the team to two more state championships. Last year she had to do it without her sister <strong>Baylee Doolan</strong> who missed her senior season because of a knee injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'0" frosh [player_tooltip player_id='787919' first='Charlotte' last='Booth'] should help the Hubs create an offense this year that is not so reliant on Caydence. The one big loss for the Hubs was <strong>Lauren Hobbs</strong> who set a 5/1 for the team last year. They will need to find someone to replace her. The one constant presence on the team since 2021 libero/ds <strong>Sydnee Wilt </strong>has also departed. Middle <strong>Nevaeh Ware</strong> also graduated taking away a solid middle presence. They will need some young players to step up if they hope to make it four in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun fact</strong> - North Hagerstown has scheduled James Wood for at least the last four seasons. James Wood is also a three time Class 4 Virginia state champ. The Hubs have lost to them all four times. They have them again on their schedule along with the West Virginia state champ Hedgesville to open the season, as well as Class 1 Maryland state champion Boonsboro. Three of their seven scheduled opponents for this year are state champions from three different states.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Howard</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":520711,"width":"337px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/142-Dylann-Loggins-rotated.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-520711" style="width:337px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='506629' first='Dylann' last='Loggins']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year Howard remained undefeated until their final match of the season. Thomas Wootton swept past them in the semi-finals of the state championship. In the finals North Hagerstown swept past Wootton. Howard last one a state championship in 1980. They also reached the semi-final in 1979.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players</strong> - middle <strong>Julia Irwin</strong>, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829552' first='Anna' last='Fiedler'],</strong> outside<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='702631' first='McKenna' last='Brown']</strong>, outside/Libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800521' first='Miranda' last='Ball'],</strong> setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier'],</strong> middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506629' first='Dylann' last='Loggins']</strong>, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832940' first='Jackie' last='Klugh']</strong>, DS <strong>Jojo Vassor</strong> , outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='577516' first='Mariska' last='Ordonez']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Critical Departures </strong>- middle <strong>Kaleigh Williams</strong>, outside/DS <strong>Riley Poholsky</strong>, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising Frosh</strong> - no frosh on current roster</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - They lost only two players from last year's team. The key player returning is 5'11" setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier'].</strong> Last year she set a 5/1. During the club season she set a 6/2, however she still hit right side showing off a powerful right arm. Imagine finished second in the state of Maryland in assists. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800521' first='Miranda' last='Ball']</strong> will return as the libero. Though they have her listed as an outside the Lions have too many players on their roster who can play that position. Two of their top three offensive players return in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='702631' first='McKenna' last='Brown']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='577516' first='Mariska' last='Ordonez']. </strong> They will lose a lot with the departure of middle<strong> Kaleigh Williams</strong>. She finished second on the team in kills and first in blocks. Indiana State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506629' first='Dylann' last='Loggins']</strong> returns as one of the middles but they will need to find a second.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact </strong>- Howard took a three set match against North Hagerstown in a tournament. The last time Howard won a state championship was in 1980. The previous year (1979) they reached the semi-final. Last year for the second time in school history Howard reached the semi-finals in states. They lost to Wootton. Perhaps this year they will win a state championship just as they did in1980.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Atholton</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589221,"width":"434px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/79-Carly-Tillman.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589221" style="width:434px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='763123' first='Carly' last='Tillman']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atholton has won four state championships, the last in 2018. Howard swept them in a regional battle to end their season early. It was their third loss to Howard that season, all of the matches ending in sweeps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players </strong>- ds <strong>Addison Gilreath</strong>, middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612397' first='Eliana' last='Koram']</strong>, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572041' first='Katelyn' last='Brown']</strong>, middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763123' first='Carly' last='Tillman'],</strong> middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809811' first='Morgan' last='Vanderwagen']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Critical Departures</strong> - outside <strong>Tatum Hall</strong>, outside <strong>Tristian Evans</strong>, Libero <strong>Kelsey Mason</strong>, setter <strong>Angel Zhou</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising Frosh</strong> - middle<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='783302' first='Sophie' last='Lorgea']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessmentr</strong> - They lost a number of seniors to graduation as well as frosh<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='748513' first='Scarlett' last='Netherton']</strong> to Annapolis Christian Academy. They could carry two dynamic middles in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612397' first='Eliana' last='Koram'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='783302' first='Sophie' last='Lorgea'].</strong> Eliana dominated at Metro and could have a breakout season. She did not receive a lot of playing time last season but that should change this year. Sophie is an incoming frosh who played at the 13U last season. She lists at 6'2" but may not be ready for varsity. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763123' first='Carly' last='Tillman']</strong> seems the more established middle. While <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809811' first='Morgan' last='Vanderwagen']</strong> rosters as a middle she could move to an outside. She finished third on the team in kills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572041' first='Katelyn' last='Brown'] </strong>will fill a setter role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fun Fact</strong> the name "Athol" first originated in 1732 under a land grant to James McGill. At one point it was a one room schoolhouse that later renamed to Harriet Tubman high school. The current structure establishing Atholton was built in 1966.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Glenelg</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":516562,"width":"257px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/Isard-Bernades9.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-516562" style="width:257px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='346815' first='Isard' last='Bernades']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glenelg last won a state championship in 2021 when they were still a Class 2 high school. They reached the semi-finals in 2023 as a Class 3 school, losing to Arundel. They have won a total of five state championships. That falls one short of North Hagerstown. They have appeared in 15 state championships, which happens to be one more than North Hagerstown. Last year, Old Mill eliminated them in a regional playoff match, only their fourth loss of the season. Two of those losses came against Howard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning players</strong> - outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346815' first='Isard' last='Bernades']</strong>, right side <strong>Aran Bernades</strong>, DS <strong>Lainey White,</strong> outside<strong> Lisa Richardson,</strong> right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346816' first='Avery' last='Hubbard'],</strong> libero/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800306' first='Bella' last='Chen']</strong>, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749358' first='Eva' last='Bujanauskas'],</strong> setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li']</strong>, middle <strong>Tise Tokunboh-Salako</strong>, right side <strong>Chloe Lincoln </strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Critical Departures </strong>- Libero/ds <strong>Olivia McDonough</strong>, middle <strong>Ilyssa Newman</strong>, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising Frosh</strong> - They bring back a large frosh class from last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":520927,"width":"336px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/Bella-Chen-1.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-520927" style="width:336px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='800306' first='Bella' last='Chen']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assessment</strong> - One of those frosh <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800306' first='Bella' last='Chen']</strong> will take over the libero role that had been held by <strong>Olivia McDonough</strong>. Bella ranks at number 44 in our class of 2028. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749358' first='Eva' last='Bujanauskas'] </strong>allows the Gladiators to run a 6/2 with [player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li'] still the main setter. [player_tooltip player_id='346815' first='Isard' last='Bernades'] plays libero at club but last year she led the team in kills. Her younger sister <strong>Aran Bernades</strong> could move over from the right side to team with her sister to share the left side responsibilities. At 5'9" both sisters fall in the category of undersized for an outside hitter. The Gladiators lack the booming, dominate front row player that acts as a game changer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fun Fact - Glen Elg got their school name from Scottland, Glenelg Manor in Glenelg Scotland. They opened in 1958. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->