Howard County volleyball consistently proves to be one of the best counties in the state. It will look to continue that reputation after Centennial won the Class 2A title in 2023, while Glenelg, Reservoir and River Hill all made deep postseason runs. Both the Gladiators and Gators made the state semifinals, while the Hawks reached the quarterfinals

The Eagles lost 2023 Player of the Year Mailinh Godschall who is now playing at Duke, and several other key players. The Gators and Gladiators also lost some key players from last year but are slated to compete for a county title along with Centennial, Howard and River Hill.

Guilford Park is also joining the county as the 13th varsity program in its inaugural season with the varsity team.

Reservoir is the county’s lone representative in 4A South Region I. Glenelg, Marriotts Ridge and Mt Hebron are in 3A South Region I, while Atholton, Guilford Park, Howard, Long Reach, Oakland Mills and River Hill make up 3A South Region II. Centennial, Hammond and Wilde Lake are in 2A West Region II.

Howard County is also implementing two six team-divisions, where the two division winners will face off to determine a county champion. Guilford Park will be part of the divisions once they have all in varsity sports in school year 2025. Division winners are determined by winning percentage within the division.

The Summit Division is Glenelg, Hammond, Marriotts Ridge, Mt. Hebron, Oakland Mills and Reservoir. The Sierra Division is Atholton, Centennial, Howard, Long Reach, River Hill and Wilde Lake.

Here is a look at the Howard County teams. Note: Not all teams responded to requests for information

Atholton

Coach: Glen Davis, first season

Last season: 5-10

Top returners: Seniors Tatum Hall (OH) and Kelsey Mason (DS); junior Carly Tillman (MB)

On the court: Tatum will once again lead the Raiders’ attack after being named second team All-County as a junior. Mason and Tillman provide added experience defensively and are other important veterans.

Coach’s outlook: “We have a deep group of seniors who have played with each other for a number of years. We look to bounce back from a subpar 2023. With a strong group of pin hitters this season we should improve a lot and make a push to a playoff berth.”

Centennial

Coach: Mike Bossom, 25th season

Last season: 16-4, 2A State Champion

Top returners: Seniors Amanda Xu (MH), Joy Chen (S), Simar Sidhu (L) and Natalie Gomez (OH).

Newcomers to watch: Juniors Audrey Smallidge (OH), Prak Chengal (OPP), Karen Chen (OH/RS) and Hannah Shiau (OH).

On the court: The Eagles graduated two integral components of last year’s state championship team in Godschall and Kaley MacLellan. Sidhu was second team All-County last year and will be a key component of the defense. Xu and Gomez will see increased roles and be critical parts of the attack, while several newcomers will also contribute to the attack.

Coach’s outlook: “The team needs to find a way to fill in the holes left from graduation. We have the ability to be good will see how we grow throughout the season as a team and as individual volleyball players. We need to find a way to score points and be consistent. Our serve and pass game will be good. Our defense will be good. Scoring points will be our initial challenge then grow in consistency under pressure as our younger players earn the chance for more playing time and more responsibility.”

Chapelgate Christian

Coach: Kelsey Harman, first season

Last season: 19-0, IAAM C Conference Champion

Top returners: Seniors Grace Salveron (S) and Madison James (OH); junior Jada Virgin (OH).

Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Valentina Rosa (L) and Hannah Sturdivant (RS).

On the court: The Yellow Jackets return a trio of All-County performers in James, Salveron and Virgin. James was first team All-County as a junior with a team-high 245 kills, also 150 digs and 94 aces. Salveron is the conductor of the offensive attack while Virgin is another weapon to add to Chapelgate’s attack.

Coach’s outlook: “After winning the C conference championship last year we have moved up to the B Conference. We will be playing mostly new teams and are excited to see our competition. It will be a new experi

ence all around.”

Glenelg

Coach: Nick Sharp, first season

Last season: 16-2, 3A state semifinalist

Top returners: Senior Olivia McDonough (L); juniors Avery Hubbard (RS) and Isard Bernades (OH); sophomore Jessica Li (S).

Newcomer to watch: Freshman Bella Chen (DS)

On the court: The Gladiators lost several key pieces from last year’s team, but bring back key returners. Bernades was first team All-County as a sophomore with a team-high 268 kills. Hubbard and McDonough were both named second team All-County in 2023. Hubbard had 189 kills, while McDonough finished with 329 digs and 68 aces. Li will step into the primary setter role after serving as a backup while Chen joins the fold as a depth option at defensive specialist/libero.

Coach’s outlook: “We have a fairly balanced roster. We are returning just four seniors, with three juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen, giving us a real mix of playing experience.”

Glenelg Country

Coach: Shalom Omo-Osagie, fifth season

Last season: 10-2, IAAM B Conference Runner-up

Top returners: Seniors Gabrielle Washington (OH) and Zinnia Pickett (S); juniors Kennedy Cummins (L) and Annika Bilsen (MB).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Kyla Wooten (OH/MB); sophomore Kristina Melton (MB).

On the court: Washington, a Hampton University commit was a force defensively last year, averaging four blocks per set. Meanwhile, Pickett has excelled at the service line, leading the team in aces averaging seven per match. Cummins and Nilsen will be important parts of Glenelg Country’s defense as Nilsen was second on the team, averaging three blocks per set.

Coach’s outlook: “Our girls are hungry and ready to dominate this season! Last season showed everyone that we’re here, and this year we know where we’re going. We all have a mission and one common goal.”

Guilford Park

Coach: Karen Kart, first season

Last season: N/A

Top returners: Juniors Brielle Nemezo (L) and Bekah Hughey (OH)

Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Chika Onukwugha (OH) and Sofia Servedio (S).

On the court: The Panthers are Howard County’s youngest and newest team without any seniors on the roster. With that youth, Nemezo and Hughey are two pivotal pieces of the defense and the attack. Both Onukwugha and Servedio look to make key impacts as freshman as the Panthers enter their inaugural varsity season.

Coach’s outlook: “We have a good foundation from which to begin. Then team is full of talent and we kept all of the talent we could. This is a great group of athletes who are hungry to compete and wear a varsity uniform. Our goal is to be highly skilled and ready for competition each day. We have the potential to turn in a few upsets this season. We will have a mindset to compete and be relentless.”

Howard

Coach: Grant Scott, 21st season

Last season: 13-3, 3A South Region II finalist

Top returners: Seniors Kaleigh Williams (MH) and Imagine Peltier (S); junior Miranda Ball (L).

Newcomers to watch: N/A

On the court: Williams will look to build on a strong junior campaign where she was named first team All-County. The middle hitter finished with 114 kills, 43 blocks and 15 aces last season. Ball is transitioning from outside hitter to libero as the Lions will look to replace All-County libero Morgan Harris who is now playing at East Carolina University. Peltier is also back at the setter position with multiple years of varsity experience.

Coach’s outlook: “We have a strong core of returning players who will hopefully lead us to a repeat top tier finish in the county this year.”

Long Reach

Coach: Jennifer Van Oosten, second season

Last season: 10-6

Top returners: Seniors Addison Van Oosten (OH) and Brooke Gordon (MB).

Newcomer to watch: Freshman Azana Samuel (MB).

On the court: Van Oosten, a team captain, is expected to once again lead the Lightning attack. Van Oosten was first team All-County in 2023 with a team-high 177 kills, adding 91 digs, 33 aces and 26 blocks. Gordon will be a force in the middle for the Lighting as one of Howard County’s blocking leaders last season. Samuel joins the fold and enters high school with club experience.

Coach’s outlook: “With every varsity athlete having played club volleyball last season, including nine who competed in USA Volleyball or AAU Nationals, and with seven returning seniors, we are aiming for our most successful season yet. Despite the loss of seven seniors from last year, we are committed to working hard to elevate every aspect of our game.”

Marriotts Ridge

Coach: Jamie Bullock, seventh season

Last season: 5-11

Top returners: Seniors Eva Hull (S), Katy Harbaugh (OH) and Audrey Lee (DS/L); juniors Kelly Swenson (S/OH) and Grace Lei (DS/L).

Newcomers to watch: N/A

On the court: Harbaugh is coming off a 110-kill season and will be a leader in the Mustangs’ attack. Hull is an experienced setter who enters her final season with 876 career assists. Swenson provides added depth both on the outside and at setter. Meanwhile, Lee and Lei give Marriotts Ridge a plethora of experience at libero.

Coach’s outlook: “We are still rebuilding. We are hoping to have our team chemistry continue to grow with 12 returning players.”

Mt. Hebron

Coach: Molly Werts, first season

Last season: 9-7

Top returners: Seniors Mackenzie Wilhem (S), Cora Caplan (RS) and Olivia Brogden (DS).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Lyla Warner (S); sophomores Raquel Whiting (OH) and Malavya Adiyodi (OH).

On the court: The Vikings graduated a pair of All-County performers in Lauren Roselle and Caroline Zheng. Roselle led the Vikings in kills last season and Caplan, Whiting and Adiyodi will be key players on the attack in her absence. With Zheng’s departure, Brodgen steps into a leadership role defensively. Wilhem and Warner give Mt. Hebron experience and versatility at setter.

Coach’s outlook: “Our team is strong and ready to fight this season and I’m excited to keep working with the girls and honing in on our goals and competing as a unit.”

Oakland Mills

Coach: Nikki McDuffie, second season

Last season: 6-16

Top returners: Seniors Korinne Tillery (OH/MB/RS), Laila Brooks (OH/MB/RS) and Brooke West (S/RS).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Chidera Nwokeh (MB/OH); freshman Eunice Ji (L).

On the court: The Scorpions will lean on their three senior returners. Both Tillery and Brooks will be integral parts of the attack, while West will be vital in facilitating that attack. Ji will play a key role in her varsity season as the libero, while Nwokeh gives Oakland Mills added versatility in the middle and on the outside.

Coach’s outlook: “Although we’re still what you consider young in volleyball experience, as most of our athletes had never touched a volleyball until they got to high school, we have a good core group that works well together and bring the necessary components to the court to be successful. I see us finishing in the mix for the county championship.”

Reservoir

Coach: Carole Ferrante, sixth season

Last season: 12-7, 4A state semifinalist

Top returners: Seniors Celina Johnson (S), Zuri Brock (S), Gabby Prather (MH), Tiana Copp (OH) and Marin Esch (OH).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Chloe Chau (L/DS); freshman Riley Ko (L/DS).

On the court: After the graduation of all-county setter Haley Ko, Johnson and Brock will be the Gators lead facilitators, committed to Winston Salem State and Hampton University, respectively. Prather shined offensively and defensively in the middle last year, named first team All-County with 87 kills and 57 blocks. Esch is expected to again be a focal point of the attack after being named second team All-County last year. Copp is another key component of the attack, while both Chau and Ko are competing for the Gators starting libero/defensive specialist.

Coach’s outlook: “I just feel really good about how the team is coming together. They’re working really hard together. They worked a lot during the offseason to get thing done. I think that we’re going to hopefully do a little better this year than we did last year. You always want to just improve a little bit more than you’ve done before. If we can just get that 1% better and push through to try to reach a little bit of a deeper goal, we’d be really happy with that. There’s a really great chemistry with this team. There is a very strong dynamic within the team that the goals and the hopes for the season are the same. I think that this team is just hitting on all cylinders right now. I’m really proud of what we’re already accomplishing in the gym and we’re only a week in.”

River Hill

Coach: Lynn Paynter, 15th season

Last season: 13-3, 3A state quarterfinalist

Top returners: Seniors Sofija Simendic (MH) and Cameron Lowe (RS); junior Josie Calhoun (L).

Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Noya Offrum (MH) and Joyce Hu (OH).

On the court: The Hawks are a younger team in 2024 after graduating a pair of All-County performers in Mackenzie Calhoun and Abby McMahon. Simendic was first team All-County as a junior, posting 104 kills, 39 blocks, 24 aces and 23 digs and will be relied upon to take on a greater role. Lowe, Offrum and Hu are other key hitters on River Hill’s attack while Josie Calhoun anchors the defense as an experienced libero.

Coach’s outlook: “I am looking forward to a season of growth with an element of surprise as our young team pulls together.”