Here’s what you need to know for the 2024 high school volleyball season in the Baltimore area:

Storylines to watch

Where are the area’s best players?This season seems to be a changing of the guard for many local programs. Every All-Metro first-team selection graduated last season, including Player of the Year Mailinh Godschall of Centennial. Several top programs are rebuilding this season, and it appears many of the top players will come from the junior class. Many seniors were overshadowed by their peers last year, and their ability to adjust to their new leadership roles will dictate how far their seasons go this year.

Pair of legendary coaches moving on:This season, two traditional powers will be without their longtime coaches. Tim Dunbar, who coached at Severna Park for two stints covering 25 years, has retired from coaching. He compiled a 407-80 record, including four state titles (1991, 1992, 1993, 2014) with the Falcons. Also, longtime Glenelg coach Jason Monjes has taken over at Montgomery County private school Good Counsel. Monjes led the Gladiators to a 115-36 record during his 11-year tenure, including a state title in 2021. New coaches Caitlin Mills (Severna Park) and Nick Sharp (Glenelg) move up from assistant ranks to take over those programs.

Two new programs join the ranks:Both the Anne Arundel County League and the Howard County League are expanding this year with the additions of Severn Run and Guilford Park. Guilford Park, in Jessup, opened last year, but this season will be the first the Panthers will play a varsity schedule. They are led by former Good Counsel coach Karen Kart. Severn Run is opening this year and will play a varsity schedule. Daniel Banasynski will be the Wolves’ first coach. Both schools will compete in Class 3A and will not have a senior class this year.Will anybody in the IAAM A Conference challenge Maryvale Prep?After winning the past three Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference titles, the Lions again appear to be the best of the area’s private schools. Archbishop Spalding had an up-and-down season last year, but the Cavaliers have a new coach in Monique Butler, and they might make some noise. Another contender could be Mercy. The Magic grew up a lot last season and they could push Maryvale, too. The second-best team in the IAAM could be B Conference member Garrison Forest.

Could this finally be Broadneck’s year?Broadneck is always a local power in volleyball, but the Bruins appear to have lost less than almost any team in the area. The Bruins had an early exit from the playoffs last year, losing to Class 4A runner-up Leonardtown in the 4A East Region II final, and the team will be out to avenge that loss this season. Coach Tracey Regalbuto’s team will be led by junior outside hitter Kennedy Smith, an All-Metro second-team performer last year. There’s no substitute for experience, and if the Bruins get off to a good start this could finally be the year they put everything together.

Players to watch

Isard Bernades, Glenelg, junior, outside hitter: Bernades came alive in the playoffs last year, leading the Gladiators to the Class 3A state semifinals. She’ll be counted on for a lot of the offense this year in a balanced Howard County League.

Bryah Breaux, Garrison Forest, junior, outside hitter:A participant in the USA Volleyball Junior Nationals program, Breaux has already verbally committed to the University of Kentucky. She will provide an offensive spark for Garrison Forest.

Arianna Durham, Poly, senior, outside hitter: Her coach describes her as passionate and explosive. A four-year starter, Durham is probably the best player in Baltimore City. She has received interest from several college programs.

Jessica Gogol, Maryvale Prep, senior, outside hitter:Gogol led Maryvale Prep to its third straight IAAM A Conference title last year, and her presence and leadership make the Lions the league favorite again. Her all-around game is the engine that makes Maryvale go.

Anna Kane, Bel Air, senior, setter: Kane will set for a team full of hitters, so how well she adjusts to her leadership role will say a lot about the Bobcats. Her coach says this left-hander can take over games with her serving and passing.

Sophia Kefi, Hereford, sophomore, setter:Kefi made her presence known as a freshman last year and helped the Bulls to Baltimore County and regional championships. Her court smarts and ball distribution are what make the Hereford offense roll.

Daisey Pentorn, Arundel, senior, setter: Pentorn ran the offense for the Class 3A state finalists last year, and her leadership will be a major factor again. The Wildcats might be a little down this year, but she makes everyone better.

Kennedy Smith, Broadneck, junior, outside hitter:A second-team All-Metro performer last year, Smith will be an offensive leader on the area’s top-ranked team. The Bruins will also rely on her height and leadership.

Jasmin Tucker, St. Paul’s, sophomore, right-side hitter:Even at her young age, the 6-foot Tucker makes the players around her better. As a freshman, she averaged 10 kills per match, so another year should only make her better.

Kayleigh Williams, Howard, senior, middle hitter:A first-team All-County performer for the Lions last season, Williams returns to lead a young and talented group. An offensive force, she is fielding offers from several colleges.

Preseason Top 15 teams

1. Broadneck

Coach: Tracey Regalbuto

Last season: 10-3 overall, No. 11 ranking

Postseason: Class 4A East Region II finalist

Outlook: After an early playoff exit last season, this could finally be Broadneck’s year. The Bruins return 11 players, most of whom had significant playing time last season. The team is blessed with both experience and height, with seven players 5-10 or taller. The Bruins will need to find a libero, but Regalbuto thinks she has that covered. Kennedy Smith, one of the area’s best outside hitters, and setter Sydney Lawrence, both juniors, will lead the offense. If the Bruins perform up to expectations, they are the team to beat in Anne Arundel County.

2. Reservoir

Coach: Carole Ferrante

Last season: 12-7, No. 10

Postseason: Class 4A state semifinalist

Outlook: Reservoir made a deep run in the playoffs last year and Ferrante sees this year’s team as more talented. The Gators lost four seniors from last season, but they have a strong group this year led by middle hitter Gabby Prather and setter Zuri Brock. Both have committed to Hampton University for next season. Ferrante, who describes her team as explosive and hard-working, had 72 girls try out and the Gators will draw from a good junior varsity team last year. Look for Reservoir to battle Howard and Glenelg for supremacy in Howard County.

3. Glenelg

Coach: Nick Sharp

Last season: 16-2, No. 3

Postseason: Class 3A state semifinalist

Outlook: The biggest change for the Howard County champions will be at coach, where Sharp takes over from the departed Jason Monjes. The Gladiators lost All-Metro first-team setter Lindsay Kelley, but Sharp is confident that sophomore Jessica Lee can replace her. Even though four talented seniors are back, right-side hitter Avery Hubbard and outside hitter Isard Bernades, both juniors, will provide much of the offense. Despite a few holes, look for Glenelg to draw from a deep well of talent and be in the mix for the Howard County title.

4. Crofton

Coach: Greg LeGrand

Last season: 10-5, No. 13

Postseason: Class 4A East Region I semifinalist

Outlook: Crofton returns a good mix of experienced and young players to a group that always has talent. The strength of the team will be its defense, which LeGrand says is rock solid. Three-year starter Addison Matsui, a senior middle hitter, returns, as does senior libero Emily Hanna, and they will be counted on for their leadership. The key for the Cardinals will be how quickly they can find an offense and the players adjust to one another. Look for Crofton to be in the mix for the county title.

5. Maryvale Prep

Coach: Missy Little

Last season: 12-2, No. 4

Postseason: IAAM A Conference champion

Outlook: The three-time A Conference champions might be even stronger this year. All-Metro second-team outside hitter Jessica Gogol returns to lead a talented and experienced core of players. Sophomore Ryan O’Connor, a middle hitter, will play a significant part in the offense. Maryvale lost two starters from last season, but the talent is already there to replace them, and Little likes the versatility that her lineup gives her. As much as things change, it still looks like the Lions are the best in the A Conference.

6. Arundel

Coach: Ashley Yuscavage

Last season: 16-1, No. 1

Postseason: Class 3A state finalist

Outlook: The Wildcats have been the gold standard for area volleyball the past few years, but they lost eight seniors and have some holes to fill from a team that played for the state championship. Setter Daisey Pentorn, a senior, will return to lead a group that will be mostly underclassmen. Junior libero Bailey Swinton will captain the defense. Yuscavage is a master at getting the most out of her players, so expect Arundel to be near the top of the standings in Anne Arundel County again, battling Broadneck and Crofton.

7. Howard

Coach: Grant Scott

Last season: 13-3, No. 7

Postseason: Class 3A South Region II finalist

Outlook: The Lions have a good returning core from last year, but the team lost four talented seniors and replacing them could be a challenge. Scott loves the chemistry on the team, which will be led by senior Kayleigh Williams, a middle hitter, and sophomore setter Imagine Peltier. The team has a good mix of grade levels, but the underclassmen will be key. If it all falls into place, then Howard will push Reservoir and Glenelg for the county title.

8. Centennial

Coach: Michael Bossom

Last season: 15-4, No. 2

Postseason: Class 2A state champion

Outlook: The Eagles had a magical run to the state title last year behind Mailinh Godschall, The Sun’s All-Metro Player of the Year, but a new season brings the challenge of replacing her. The team returns a good nucleus led by libero Simar Sidhu and setter Joy Chen, both seniors. Bossom loves his defense, which will again be the strength of the team. Developing an offense and finding the players to run it is the focus of the team. Still, it’s never a good idea to count Centennial out of the county race.

9. Manchester Valley

Coach: Melissa Troy

Last season: 9-8, not ranked

Postseason: Class 3A West Region I quarterfinalist

Outlook: The Mavericks usually aren’t on the local volleyball radar, but there’s a lot to like about this team. Troy takes over a program that made some noise in Carroll County last year and appears to be even better this year. Outside hitters Emily Troy, a junior, and Emma Shaffer, a senior, will provide much of the firepower for this young team. Troy is confident in her offense, and how quickly the Mavs develop a defense will be key. They will be pushed by Westminster and South Carroll in Carroll County.

10. Garrison Forest

Coach: Phyllis May

Last season: 15-3, not ranked

Postseason: IAAM B Conference champions

Outlook: The Grizzlies burst onto the local volleyball scene last year and the program continues to grow. May takes over a team that won the B Conference last season. Garrison lost five talented seniors, but a lot of talent remains. The Grizzlies return outside hitter Bryah Breaux, who has already verbally committed to the University of Kentucky as a junior. She will be aided by 6-foot-3 junior transfer student Dawn Pena, another outside hitter. The Grizzlies will be the clear favorite to win the B Conference and could push some of the A Conference teams on their schedule.

11. Patterson Mill

Coach: Joshua Wagener

Last season: 16-3, No. 9

Postseason: Class 1A state semifinalist

Outlook: The Huskies made a magical run to the state semifinals last year, where they lost to eventual state champion Clear Spring in five sets. This year’s team might be even better. Senior setter Zoe Valan and junior outside hitter Sophie Lopano will provide most of the offense, but they are backed by a solid group of returnees. Harford County was a battle last year, and this year should be no different with Bel Air and C. Milton Wright pushing the Huskies for the county title.

12. Severna Park

Coach: Caitlin Mills

Last season: 8-6, not ranked

Postseason: Class 3A East Region I finalist

Outlook: Mills takes over this storied program after serving as the assistant last season. The Falcons lost five seniors and this team will be young, with 50% of the players being freshmen and sophomores. They will be battle-tested in Anne Arundel County, but there’s a lot to like here. Outside hitter Lizzie Ranaghan, a junior, will lead the offense, with setters Gena Willis, a senior, and Jennifer Hong, a sophomore, setting her up. This team will have to grow up quickly to compete in the tough Anne Arundel County race.

13. C. Milton Wright

Coach: Dave Naugle

Last season: 15-3, No. 8

Postseason: Class 2A state quarterfinalist

Outlook: The Mustangs were another team that came out of nowhere last year to make a deep run into the state tournament. The good news for Wright is that eight players return from last year, including four-year varsity starters in outside hitter Ana Mioduski and opposite hitter Maddie Duffalo, both of who contributed over 135 kills last season. Naugle is also excited about a good group of underclassmen who will make the Mustangs even better. Look for C.M. Wright to battle it out with Patterson Mill and Bel Air for supremacy in Harford County.

14. Bel Air

Coach: Dave Simon

Last season: 11-7, not ranked

Postseason: Class 3A state quarterfinalist

Outlook: The Bobcats had a down 2023 season by their standards, but Simon says he likes what he has returning. His main challenge will be replacing two departed middle hitters who were the keys to the team last year. Anna Kane, a 6-2 senior, returns and will be the sparkplug for the offense. Junior setter Emma Duvall will also play a key role. Harford County and the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference will be ultra-competitive this year, so it will be important for Bel Air to hit the ground running.

15. River Hill

Coach: Lynn Paynter

Last season: 14-3, No. 5

Postseason: Class 3A state quarterfinalist

Outlook: Maybe no program in the metro area lost more than the Hawks did last season. Paynter, however, usually finds a way to replace players quickly. River Hill had 74 kids show up for tryouts, and they should blend well with some of the returnees to form a formidable group. Paynter will have two new setters to run her offense, but she’s enthusiastic about the ability of both. Middle hitter Sofija Simendic and right-side hitter Cameron Love, both seniors, will lead the team. The Howards County league is always a challenge, but this team will continue to get better as the season goes on and will push some of the county heavyweights.

Others considered: Fallston (13-2), Hereford (13-5), Poly (13-2), South Carroll (12-3), Westminster (13-3)