For years now, the volleyball programs at Greencastle-Antrim and North Hagerstown have been crushing just about every opponent placed on the opposite side of the court.
Last season alone, the Blue Devils and Hubs combined to post 41 wins in 43 matches.
When Greencastle and North Hagerstown return to action this fall, it’s safe to say the squads will be getting a championship effort from every opponent they face. The competition won’t care about the graduation losses of the Blue Devils and Hubs, both of whom said goodbye to all-time program greats.
Greencastle lost the services of Abigail Eagler, a two-time Mid-Penn Colonial Division Player of the Year, while North Hagerstown parted ways with Caydence Doolan, a Marquette recruit who rained down nearly 500 kills last fall.
Those are some big shoes to fill, and opponents like the Waynesboro Maidens are eager to take advantage. Waynesboro has finished second behind the Blue Devils for each of the last two seasons, and the Maidens return enough talent to give Greencastle a run for its money.
In Washington County, the Hubs will have to keep an eye on their back, as improving Smithsburg and South Hagerstown are aiming to move up the food chain.
In our high school girls volleyball previews, we’ll take a look at all of these teams, while also shining the spotlight on Chambersburg and Fairfield.
Stick with LocalNews1.org in the days and weeks to come as we continue to preview the fall sports season before it kicks off next month.
Below are team-by-team preview capsules for the 2026 high school girls volleyball season:
Waynesboro Maidens
Coach: Kim Saunders
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial
Last season: 16-4, 12-2 division
Top projected returners: Bailey Kirkpatrick (Jr., OH/S), Bryn Reed (So., OH), Chloe Levick (Jr., DS), Chloe Shacreaw (Sr., OH), Kayaunna Mouer (So., S), Maddie Nystrom (Jr., L), Ruby Beck (Jr., OH/MH), Sarah Aldrich (Jr., MH/DS, 5-8), Jaylyn Wentz (Sr., DS), Alexandra Boyd (So., S), Allison Rinehart-Strawser (So., MH/OH), Bailey Dill (Jr., RH/OH), Chloe Levick (Jr., DS), Eden Gift (So., S), Jayli Robinson (So., MH), Kara Eskridge (So.), Lily Reed (So., RH), Lylah Shacreaw (Fr., DS), Macey Cason (So., DS), Rayne Hoyaux (Jr., OH), Sierra Brosius (So., DS), Lexi Malof (So., DS).
Meet the Maidens: Waynesboro’s volleyball program is hoping to continue a sharp, years-long run of success … The Maidens are coming off back-to-back seasons of runner-up finishes in the Mid-Penn Colonial Division and qualifying for the District 3-4A Championships … Last year’s district tourney saw Waynesboro fall 3-2 to Central Dauphin in the opening round … Maidens coach Kim Saunders, the Colonial’s Coach of the Year in 2024 and 2025, earned her 200th career win last September … Saunders’ coaching skills will once again be put to the test as her team will need to fill graduation holes left by two All-Colonial First Team setters, Bre McIlquham and Klara Helman, and a Third Team selection in middle hitter Lexi Swiney … Look for this year’s Waynesboro squad to be led by juniors Sarah Aldrich and Maddie Nystrom … Aldrich, a middle hitter/defensive specialist, was an All-Colonial Second Team pick, while Nystrom, a libero, was a Third Team pick … Chloe Shacreaw is a senior outside hitter who should be a regular in the varsity lineup … Sophomore setters Eden Gift and Kayaunna Mouer could make a splash this season … Gift can pack a nice punch, as evidenced last season by a 12-kill performance against Chambersburg and an eight-kill showing vs. Northern … Mouer is comfortable with the ball in her hands, and has enough pop in her strikes to give the Maidens some aces this fall … If Waynesboro can put it all together, perhaps a deep playoff run could be in the cards. The Maidens are three-time district runners-up, with those finishes coming in 1988, 1989, and 1991.
Opener: Friday, Aug. 28, at South Western
Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils
Coach: Madee Goodwin
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial
Last season: 22-1, 14-0 division
Top projected returners: Jordyn Wagner (Sr., MH, 5-11), Hayden Baer (Sr.), Chloe Young (Jr.), Brooklyn Sanchez (Sr.), Alyssa Petty (Sr.), Madison McDonald (Sr.), Karissa Cook (Sr.)
Meet the Blue Devils: Following a two-year span that saw Greencastle post a 42-4 record and capture the first two District 3 titles in program history, it’s safe to say that the Blue Devils will be wearing a target on their back when they take the court this fall … Greencastle is coming off a 2025 campaign that saw the Blue Devils seize the Mid-Penn Colonial Division crown with a 14-0 record and capture the district title with a 3-0 win over Middletown, before they eventually suffered their only setback of the season in the state quarterfinals with a 3-0 loss to Oakland Catholic … It’s been a great run for Greencastle, but duplicating its success from recent years will be a challenge following the graduation of a deep senior class headlined by outside hitter Abigail Eagler, a two-time Colonial Division Player of the Year now competing for Bloomsburg University … Greencastle also lost the services of outside hitter Wren Roberts and setter Kylie Kerns, both of whom were multiple-time Colonial All-Stars … To win matches this fall, the Blue Devils will be counting on senior middle hitter Jordyn Wagner to control the net. The 5-foot-11 Wagner led Greencastle with 72 blocks last season and she is also the team’s top returner in kills with 145 … Hayden Baer — the Blue Devils top returner in digs (42), who also recorded 85 kills, 11 aces, and 21 blocks — is also expected to return for her senior season.
Opener: Monday, Aug. 31, at home vs. Bermudian Springs
Chambersburg Trojans
Coach: Ty Frelin
Division: Mid-Penn Commonwealth
Last season: 9-11, 4-8 division
Top projected returners: Kasey Moser (Sr., OH/MH/OPP, 5-10), Kylee Perry (Jr., S/OH/DS, 5-7), Olivia Shearer (Sr., OH/OPP/MH, 6-2), Ayla Whiteley (Jr., MH/OPP/OH, 5-10), Natalie Miller (Jr., DS, 5-2), Lexi Poe (Jr., OH/DS, 5-6), Elizabeth Porter (Jr., DS/L, 5-3), Grace Myers (Jr., S/OPP, 5-6), Emma Yoder (Sr., OH, 5-7), Cassidy Reath (Sr., DS, 5-5).
Meet the Trojans: After slipping to a losing record last fall, Chambersburg would love to bounce back to its 2024 form, when it went 17-4 and qualified for the district quarterfinals … The journey will be difficult with the graduation of a strong senior class that included All-Commonwealth First Team setter Ava Zeigler (566 assists) and Third Team middle hitter Nizaya Hawkins (128 kills, 64 blocks) … The good news is the Trojans bring back two tall hitters in Kasey Moser and Olivia Shearer … Moser, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, earned Second Team honors in the Commonwealth last fall after leading Chambersburg with 206 kills. She is the Trojans’ top returner in digs (274), who also totaled 19 aces, 15 blocks and 14 assists … Standing at 6-foot-2, Shearer is Chambersburg’s top returner in blocks (17), with the opposite side hitter also recording 119 kills, 40 digs, and seven assists … Lexi Poe, a sharp ball-handler, is projected to return for the Trojans after notching 56 kills, 35 aces, five assists, 241 digs, and two blocks … Chambersburg is expected to bring back several others with varsity experience, including Kylee Perry (155 digs), Emma Yoder (21 kills), Ayla Whiteley, Grace Myers, Elizabeth Porter, Natalie Miller, and Cassidy Reath … The Trojans program will be pursuing its first district title in school history.
Opener: Tuesday, Sept. 1, at home vs. CD East
Fairfield Knights
Coach: Cal Meyer
Division: South Central Athletic Conference Division III West
Last season: 0-15, 0-12 YAIAA III
Top projected returners: Journey Coons (Sr., S), Evelyn Redding (Sr., OH), Lillian Clark (Jr., DS), Reese Sweeney (Sr., L), Kiley Hanvey (Sr., S), Karleigh Brantner (Jr., MH), Summer Rodkey (Jr., OH), Madelyn Laird (Sr., DS), Steph Hamilton (Sr., MH), Brooke Shriner (Sr., DS), Lillie Myers (Jr., MH), Hailey Mays (Sr., DS), Madisyn Knoedler (Jr., DS).
Meet the Knights: When Fairfield takes the court this fall, the squad will be seeking its first win since the 2023 season … The Knights will try to get on the board with a squad that graduated a pool of seniors that included Miah Montgomery, Riley Stoner, Ally Phillips, Payton Stambaugh, Olivia Sanders, and Sydney Kreitz … There are no returning All-Stars for Fairfield, but the team is expected to bring back a large senior class that includes Journey Coons, Evelyn Redding, Reese Sweeney, Kiley Hanvey, Madelyn Laird, Steph Hamilton, Brooke Shriner, and Hailey Mays.
Opener: Monday, Aug. 31, at New Oxford
N. Hagerstown Hubs
Coach: Lacie Johnson
Classification: 3A West Region I
Last season: 19-1
Top projected returners: Charlotte Booth (So., MH, 6-1), Zalikah Pabalan (Jr., L/DS, 5-4), Aleah Merrbaugh (So., DS, 5-1), Lena Cassesa (Jr., DS/OH), Lily Hajel (Sr., MB), Mia Johnson (Jr., S/RS), Payton Sandridge (So., MH/RS), Margaret Gatchalian (So., S/DS)
Meet the Hubs: North Hagerstown has been perhaps the volleyball program in Maryland over the past four seasons, but can the team continue its sheer dominance in 2026? … It’s a question we find ourselves asking following the graduation of star outside hitter Caydence Doolan, who is playing for Division I Marquette this fall following a monster season where she posted 478 kills, 55 aces, 19 blocks, and 223 digs. With Doolan crushing the ball, the Hubs won three state titles before finishing as the MPSSAA runner-up in 2025 … North Hagerstown captured the 3A West Region I title with a 3-0 win over Tuscarora last year, before the team was denied a four-peat with a 3-1 loss to Howard in the state championship … The Hubs, who won 58 sets and lost seven, will also have to find replacements for a strong senior class that included Eden Shupp (86 kills, 23 blocks), Lauren Ly (332 assists), Charlotte Williams (64 kills), Madison Shatzer (101 digs), and Jacqueline Wilson … With that said, the cupboards aren’t exactly bare for coach Lacie Johnson’s squad … The Hubs are hoping for 6-foot-1 outside/middle hitter Charlotte Booth to take another step forward after a strong ninth-grade season. Booth is North Hagerstown’s leading returner in kills (121), blocks (18), and aces (31) … Junior Zalikah Pabalan was named a CMC Large School Second Team All-Star last fall after leading the Hubs with 288 digs, while also recording 30 aces and 15 assists … Mia Johnson (348 assists) is back to direct the offense, while senior Lily Hajel would like to go out with a bang after posting 62 kills and nine blocks last season … Aleah Merrbaugh picked up valuable varsity experience as a freshman, and is projected to return after totaling 128 digs and 21 aces … Lena Cassesa (21 kills, 17 digs), Payton Sandridge (7 blocks), and Margaret Gatchalian (10 digs) will also be competing for playing time … It’s a little bit early to make postseason predictions, but if Johnson’s Hubs can get off to a fast start and build confidence, they could very well be in the conversation to win the seventh state title in program history.
Opener: TBA
S. Hagerstown Rebels
Coach: Erin Helman
Classification: 4A West Region I
Last season: 5-11
Top projected returners: Tenley Yost (Jr., MH, 6-1), Carson Lehman (Jr., MH, 5-9), Reilly Foley (Sr., DS, 5-3), Molly Pollak (Sr., DS/S), Chloe Gietka (Sr., RH), Jaliah Morgan (Sr., OPP/RH), Madison Hammond (Jr., RH), Molly Haines (Sr., S), Raelee Fry (Sr., DS/RH, 5-7), Kira Villa (Sr., DS)
Meet the Rebels: After posting four wins in 2024 and five victories last fall, South Hagerstown brings back enough talent to take yet another step forward this season … The last time we saw the Rebels, they were defeated 3-1 by Clarksburg in the 4A West Region I Quarterfinals … Gone from that team is outside hitter Malea Moore, who gave South a strong presence at the net, but there are plenty of reasons to get excited if you are a Rebels fan … Tenley Yost, a 6-foot-1 middle hitter, is expected to return after establishing herself as a sophomore in 2025 … South will be counting on 5-foot-3 defensive specialist Reilly Foley to dig out opponent attacks and provide senior leadership, while 5-foot-9 middle hitter Carson Lehman gives opponents another weapon to worry about … Opposite/right side hitter Jaliah Morgan gave the Rebels some quality work last season and is projected to return for her senior season … Erin Helman, who played for Williamsport High School and Frostburg State, enters her third season as head coach.
Opener: Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Catoctin
Smithsburg Leopards
Coach: Briana Metzger
Classification: 1A West Region II
Last season: 10-7
Top projected returners: Jenna Yoder (Sr., OH, 5-6), Tenley Cobb (So., L, 5-0), Zoe Dixon (Sr., OH), Emery Smith (Jr., OH/S/OPP, 5-9), Lauren Wagner (Jr., DS), Carlee Myers (Sr., DS/OH/S), Payton Bloom (Sr., DS), Izzy Spinelli (Jr., MB/OH), Danica Curtis (Jr., MB)
Meet the Leopards: No program in the LocalNews1.org coverage area has won more state titles than Smithsburg, which has captured the MPSSAA crown 14 times over its illustrious history, most recently in 2019 … The Leopards have been edging closer to the state tournament in recent years, as they were a 1A West Region II semifinalist in 2024 before making it to the region final last season and falling 3-0 to South Carroll … While Smithsburg graduated a talented setter in Mary Dorment, they do bring a trio of CMC Small School All-Stars … Jenna Yoder, a multiple-time All-Star who was named to the First Team last season, brings some pop to the net as a 5-foot-6 outside hitter … Tenley Cobb, a 5-foot libero, made a big impression as a freshman and was named to the First Team … Rounding out the Leopards’ projected returning All-Stars is junior Izzy Spinelli, who nailed down Second Team honors after standing out as a middle blocker and outside hitter … Outside hitter Emery Smith and defensive specialist Lauren Wagner are also expected to return after getting significant varsity time last season.
Opener: Tuesday, Sept. 8, at South Carroll
