Drama and Tension Sweep Maryland State Finals

There were four Maryland state tournament finals played at Hartford Community College. They played a total of 17 sets in those four matches. Of those 17 sets 11 were decided by two points, six of those sets going into overtime. The games were intense while emotions ran high. Below is a summary of those matches.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 4A - Broadneck Sweeps Urbana for Championship (28-26, 28-26, 25-22)</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/Bolter-with-the-set.jpg?w=945" alt="" class="wp-image-906004" style="width:636px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='478903' first='Barrett' last='Bolter']</figcaption></figure>   This match was saved for last which made it start late. It was the only match that went three sets. With the back and forth in each set either team could have carried the championship trophy home or at least extended the match to multiple sets.   Broadneck started only one of their four frosh in the match. They used [player_tooltip player_id='750053' first='Alexis' last='Luscomb'] at the libero position. They also used setter [player_tooltip player_id='721762' first='Sydney' last='Lawrence'] as a middle blocker. She also set when Broadneck was in serve receive while she played in the front row. [player_tooltip player_id='478903' first='Barrett' last='Bolter'] set once the rally started. Barrett was used for serving, contributing five critical aces, as well as setting when in the back row during rallies.   Urbana set a 5/1 with [player_tooltip player_id='321677' first='Charis' last='Burge']. One of her frequently used targets was the 6'3" lefthander [player_tooltip player_id='906029' first='Kristin' last='Boone'] who started the match as a right side, but eventually switched to middle. Because Broadneck used smaller middles to block (5"9" [player_tooltip player_id='721762' first='Sydney' last='Lawrence'] and 5'9" Addison Britton) Kristine appeared more effective there.   Set one started out with Broadneck jumping out to an early 3-0 lead courtesy of two aces from [player_tooltip player_id='478903' first='Barrett' last='Bolter']. They extended that lead to 9-4 with the 6'0" left side [player_tooltip player_id='721753' first='Kennedy' last='Smith'] contributing a block and a tip kill for a 9-4 lead. The lead extended to 16-8 after back to back kills from [player_tooltip player_id='829558' first='Anna' last='Graves'] and [player_tooltip player_id='721753' first='Kennedy' last='Smith']. It appeared this first set had all the evidence of becoming a blow out. Another set of back to back kills by Smith and Graves upped the lead to 18-9.   A kill by [player_tooltip player_id='906029' first='Kristin' last='Boone'] reduced the lead to five 17-22. [player_tooltip player_id='321680' first='Talia' last='DoCarmo'] went on a three point service run scoring an ace while also getting assistance from [player_tooltip player_id='321679' first='Simone' last='Assasie'] who blocked for one point and finished off a set from [player_tooltip player_id='321677' first='Charis' last='Burge'] for a second. She proved unstoppable with two more kills to move the score to 22-24. A Broadneck hitting error eventually tied the match at 24-24.   Eventually the Bruins pulled it out. An Urbana service error gave Broadneck the serve back and frosh [player_tooltip player_id='787925' first='Camryn' last='Bedell'] finished it with a right side kill for the 28-26 win. Urbana fell short of reaching set point and played from behind all set.   The second set started off differently with [player_tooltip player_id='321679' first='Simone' last='Assasie'] continuing her success in the middle with a kill and a block to give the Hawks their first lead in the match 4-2. [player_tooltip player_id='829558' first='Anna' last='Graves'] returned the lead to the Bruins with a successful tip into the corner and a shot off the block for a 9-7 advantage. The Bruins would extend the lead to 17-13 and 23-19 after back to back bullets from [player_tooltip player_id='721753' first='Kennedy' last='Smith'].   Again Urbana battled back from the ashes after a Bruin serving error gave them the serve back. [player_tooltip player_id='321679' first='Simone' last='Assasie'] came through again with a kill to tie it at 23-23. However, just like the first set Urbana could not get to set point until a [player_tooltip player_id='321677' first='Charis' last='Burge'] ace gave them a 26-25 lead. A Hawk hitting error tied the score. The Bruins then finished it with an ace by [player_tooltip player_id='478903' first='Barrett' last='Bolter'] and a down the line kill from [player_tooltip player_id='829558' first='Anna' last='Graves'] to hand them another 28-26 win.   The third set was the complete opposite of the first two sets. Urbana jumped out to an early lead with a [player_tooltip player_id='906029' first='Kristin' last='Boone'] kill making the Urbana lead seem insurmountable at 22-15. Broadneck went on an 11 point run to end the set 25-22, [player_tooltip player_id='721753' first='Kennedy' last='Smith'] putting away the game winning kill.   MVP - [player_tooltip player_id='721762' first='Sydney' last='Lawrence'] - Though I don't recall her getting any blocks in the middle just carrying that blocking responsibility while still handling the setting chores was a tough assignment. She handled it well.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 3A - Imagine That - Howard Wins a State Championship (25-23, 26-24, 20-25, 27-25)</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Zalikah-Pabalan.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732567" style="width:476px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Zalikan Pabalan</figcaption></figure>   The only championship for Howard goes way back to 1980. Last year appeared to be a good opportunity to add to that championship after they entered the semi-finals undefeated. Unfortunately, they lost to Wootten in that semi-final. This year they again reached the semi-finals undefeated but this time they were able to defeat Arundel. Now to win that second championship they still needed to get past [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'] and three time defending champion North Hagerstown. I can hear the Mission Impossible music now.   Coming into the start of the season I thought Howard brought more weapons to win the championship. They had [player_tooltip player_id='577516' first='Mariska' last='Ordonez'] on the right side with [player_tooltip player_id='702631' first='McKenna' last='Brown'] on the left. [player_tooltip player_id='506629' first='Dylann' last='Loggins'] plays a strong middle, while they also have one of the best liberos in Maryland in [player_tooltip player_id='374421' first='Miranda' last='Ball'] and one of the top setters in [player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier']. The Hubs have [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'], perhaps the top weapon in Maryland with upcoming frosh [player_tooltip player_id='787919' first='Charlotte' last='Booth'] to support her. Who I did not know about Howard until I watched them recently was their other left side, the 5'11' sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='829552' first='Anna' last='Fiedler']. She may have been the Lions most potent offensive weapon.   Like you would expect from these two teams they battled close early in the first set. Once the teams reached double digits Howard began to pull away with a [player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier'] ace making it 15-11 and a [player_tooltip player_id='829552' first='Anna' last='Fiedler'] kill moving the lead to 18-13. A [player_tooltip player_id='506629' first='Dylann' last='Loggins'] swat in the middle and another [player_tooltip player_id='829552' first='Anna' last='Fiedler'] kill extended the lead further to what seemed like an insurmountable 20-13.   An [player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier'] dump in the front row (22-16) and a [player_tooltip player_id='374421' first='Miranda' last='Ball'] ace moved the score to 24-18. [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'] pushed a ball untouched into the corner to give the Hubs the serve back now down 24-19. A Howard hitting error followed by a [player_tooltip player_id='787919' first='Charlotte' last='Booth'] ace put the Hubs within striking distance at 21-24. Eden Shupp put a ball away from the middle and [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'] fired a missile from the left side to pull the Hubs to within one. [player_tooltip player_id='702631' first='McKenna' last='Brown'] was able to end it 25-23 by putting a ball away denying the Hubs of a tremdous comeback.   The second set remained close throughout. [player_tooltip player_id='577516' first='Mariska' last='Ordonez'] buried a ball down the line to give the Lions the largest lead of the set at 17-14 but a missed serve gave North Hagerstown the ball back. The Hubs were able to capture their first lead when [player_tooltip player_id='895591' first='Aleah' last='Merrbaugh'] rocketed a serve that hugged the back line for an ace and a 23-22 lead. An [player_tooltip player_id='829552' first='Anna' last='Fiedler'] kill netted the score at 23-23 and another kill by her put the Lions up by one 25-24. A Hub hitting error ended it in a Howard victory 26-24.   Howard got up in the third set 16-10 but then [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'] got on a roll with seven of her 34 kills and two blocks to flip the score the Hubs way 21-17. The Lions failed to recapture their lead while Lilly Hajel ended the set with a kill and the 25-20 Hubs win.   The fourth set brought lots of drama. Howard jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead after [player_tooltip player_id='506629' first='Dylann' last='Loggins'] used the block for a kill. A Lilly Hajel right side kill tied it 12-12 while [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'] went on a four kill spree to give North Hagerstown a 17-13 lead.   [player_tooltip player_id='829552' first='Anna' last='Fiedler'] closed the Northern Hagerstown lead to 21-17. There appeared to be a collision on the Hub side of the court. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='731631' first='Zalikah' last='Pabalan'], who was playing an excellent libero was lying on the floor. She tried to get up and crashed to the floor again. You could hear the gasp from the crowd as she fell. Her teammates helped bring her off the court. As the trainer attended to her the coach called a time out to see if Zalikah could continue to play..   When the timeout expired five Hub players advanced to the court. A short while later Zalikah came running onto the court to huge cheers from the crowd. Eden Shupp powered the ball off the block to give the Hubs a 22-17 lead, earning the serve back. It just so happens it was Zalikah's time to serve. The crowd was silent just hoping she could get the ball over the net. She not only got the ball over the net but completed an ace to a huge ovation from the crowd. Now the Hubs led 23-17 and a fifth set seemed close at hand.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/76-Joelle-Vassor.jpg?w=837" alt="" class="wp-image-781899" style="width:364px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='753439' first='Joelle' last='Vassor']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='506629' first='Dylann' last='Loggins'] ended that celebration with a middle attack that got them serve back down 18-23. [player_tooltip player_id='702631' first='McKenna' last='Brown'] powered an out of system set to close it to 19-23. North Hagerstown reached set point after a Lion hitting error. The Lions then went on a five point run, including an incredible two digs from defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='753439' first='Joelle' last='Vassor'] on missiles from [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'] that brought the ball up as high as the scoreboard. The 5'9" Julia Irvin ended the rally with a crucial block to tie the score at 24-24. At so many intervals during the rally the Hubs should have earned set point if not for the Joelle digs.   A [player_tooltip player_id='303701' first='Caydence' last='Doolan'] tip kill gave the Hubs a 25-24 lead. A [player_tooltip player_id='702631' first='McKenna' last='Brown'] kill tied the set followed by a [player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier'] ace to put Howard up 26-25. A Hub set travelled to low and tight to the net falling to the court to deliver match point to Howard and a 27-25 win.   MVP - Imagine that but [player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier'] for her terrific setting mixed in with her powerful serves. She finished with 40 assists, ten digs, three kills and three aces. [player_tooltip player_id='702631' first='McKenna' last='Brown'] led the team in kills with 18 followed closely by [player_tooltip player_id='829552' first='Anna' last='Fiedler'] with 16. [player_tooltip player_id='374421' first='Miranda' last='Ball'] led the team in digs with 20.   I happened to be sitting next to her extremely tall uncle who stated that he did not reach his tall height until his senior year in high school. He ended up the third tallest kid in class. He confirmed that her name derived from the John Lennon song "Imagine". Her mom Honesty was named after a Billy Joel song, so she named Imagine after a John Lennon song. A final Imagine would be if [player_tooltip player_id='698761' first='Imagine' last='Peltier'] experienced a growth spurt like her uncle during her senior year in high school. She already is listed as 5'10".   One final note: North Hagerstown broke a 12-12 tie jumping ahead 16-12. On an overset [player_tooltip player_id='577516' first='Mariska' last='Ordonez'] appeared to end the streak by putting a ball to the floor. The down official ruled she hit the net with her spike. Mariska was insistent she did not net. To help her cool down the coach substituted her out of the game. His intent may have been to bring her back in the game when she was in the front row again. He had [player_tooltip player_id='753439' first='Joelle' last='Vassor'] back row, which normally Mariska plays. Joelle ended up making two game saving digs. If those digs had not been made there may have been a fifth set. Don't know for sure if Joelle was playing in Mariska's spot when playing back row.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 2A Glenelg Over Williamsport in Five (27-25, 24-26, 19-25, 25-23, 15-13)</h2>   This was the first match on the docket. Saturday morning I was doing a skills clinic for some 13 year olds. I got a late start to the 96 mile drive to get to the tournament, arriving a little past two. I expected to see the North Hagerstown versus Howard set just getting started but instead they were just handing out the medals to the participates from the first set.   Glenelg won in five 27-25, 24-26, 19-25, 25-23, 15-13. [player_tooltip player_id='346816' first='Avery' last='Hubbard'] led Glenelg in kills with 27 while [player_tooltip player_id='346815' first='Isard' last='Bernades'] powered 22 balls to the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='529251' first='Jessica' last='Li'] finished with an incredible 60 assists, 22 digs and 4 aces.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 1A Clear Spring Rallies to take Down Patterson Mill (23-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-15, 15-8)</h2>   Last year Clear Spring was swept in the finals by Boonsboro. The loss prevented a three peat, since Clear Spring won it in 2022 and 2023. The set took four with Clear Spring returning to the championship pose.   In the first set after Clear Spring tied the match 17-17 Patterson Mill soared ahead courtesy of a five point serving run by Angela Kim. Angela contributed one ace while middle Mia Jelen rocketed two kills and a block to support the run. Clear Spring attempted a comeback with [player_tooltip player_id='721737' first='Kaisy' last='Custer'] rattling off two kills, but a third attempted kill sailed out to end it 25-23.   The second set found Patterson Mills doing their best to protect small leads. Middle Juliet Hodge tipped a ball over the block then served back to back aces to put Clear Spring ahead for the first time 24-22. [player_tooltip player_id='525340' first='Olivia' last='Smith'] put a finish to the set with her round house swing powering a ball to the floor for the 25-22 win.   Patterson Mill took an early 6-1 lead in the third set with Harlon Jones contributing two kills from the right side while Sophie Lopano fired up an ace during her five point service run. They stayed ahead until a [player_tooltip player_id='721737' first='Kaisy' last='Custer'] kill followed by a Callie Hose ace put Clear Spring up16-14. An ace by Addison Cline would expand that lead to 21-16.   Mia Jelen fueled the Huskies comeback with three kills, the third tying the set 21-21. Samiyah Hubbard gave them the lead 22-21 with her kill and Mia Jelen followed with two more kills for a 24-21 lead. Clear Spring attempted a comeback, pulling to at least one after a [player_tooltip player_id='525340' first='Olivia' last='Smith'] kill but a subsequent hitting error gave Patterson the set 25-23.   Clear Spring dominated the fourth set 25-15, [player_tooltip player_id='525340' first='Olivia' last='Smith'] leading the way with six kills. Her left side counterpart [player_tooltip player_id='721737' first='Kaisy' last='Custer'] finished the set off with back to back kills. Kaisy tallied four kills in the rout.   The final set the Blazers controlled the match from the beginning, jumping out to an early 6-1 lead. Patterson Mill never got closer than five and [player_tooltip player_id='525340' first='Olivia' last='Smith'] finished the match off with a round house swing 15-8.   MVP - [player_tooltip player_id='525340' first='Olivia' last='Smith'], although her left side counterpart [player_tooltip player_id='721737' first='Kaisy' last='Custer'] deserves mention. [player_tooltip player_id='525340' first='Olivia' last='Smith'] ended two sets with kills while [player_tooltip player_id='721737' first='Kaisy' last='Custer'] ended one.

There were four Maryland state tournament finals played at Hartford Community College. They played a total of 17 sets in those four matches. Of those 17 sets 11 were decided by two points, six of those sets going into overtime. The games were intense while emotions ran high. Below is a summary of those matches.