When the high school girls volleyball season kicks off this month, one team in particular will have an exceptionally-large target on its back: North Hagerstown.
That’s because the Hubs are the three-time defending MPSSAA 3A champions. North Hagerstown may have graduated four of its five All-Stars, but don’t expect opponents to feel bad for the team on top of the mountain.
Can the Hubs do it again? It’s a question that will be answered in part by one of the best players in the state: Returning senior and Marquette recruit Caydence Doolan.
North Hagerstown won’t be the only squad retooling its lineup. Smithsburg will also be picking up the pieces after significant graduation losses, but with a dominant program that has piled up a dozen state titles, the Leopards cannot be counted out.
South Hagerstown will be aiming to bounce back from a four-win campaign, while Fairfield will be seeking its first win since the 2023 season.
Look for some exciting volleyball in the Mid-Penn Conference. Greencastle-Antrim and Waynesboro both had excelled last fall and will be angling to return to the postseason. Chambersburg lost some key pieces from last year’s playoff team, but the Trojans seem stocked to go on another run, nonetheless.
We’ll take a closer look at all of these squads in our preview capsules for the 2025 season. Stick with Local.News1 in the days and weeks to come as we continue to preview the fall sports season before it kicks off later this month.
Below are team-by-team preview capsules for the seven girls volleyball teams in the Local.News1 coverage area:
Waynesboro Tribe
Coach: Kim Saunders
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial
Last season: 15-6, 12-2 division
Top projected returners: Breanna McIlquham (Sr., S), Klara Helman (Sr., S, 5-8), Kayelyn Baker (Sr., DS/L), Addison Piechocki (So., MH/OH), Bailey Dill (So., RH/OH), Bailey Kirkpatrick (So., OH/S), Bryn Reed (Fr.), Chloe Levick (So., DS), Chloe Shacreaw (Jr., OH), Hayden Reynolds (Sr., OH), Isabelle Schultz (Sr., L), Kayaunna Mouer (Fr., S), Leah Kirkpatrick (So., DS), Lexi Swiney (Sr., MH, 5-8), Lily Kahl (So., OH), Madeline Nystrom (So., L), Madelyn Turner (Jr., RH), Ruby Beck (So., OH/MH), Sarah Aldrich (So., MH/DS), Abby Stoops (Jr., DS), Jaylyn Wentz (Jr., DS), Kai Walker (Jr., S), Reese Bockstie (Jr., MH/RH)
Notable: Waynesboro had a storybook season of sorts last fall, with the Maidens battling for second place in the Colonial Division and earning the No. 11 seed for the District 3-4A Tournament … Waynesboro fell 3-0 in the opening round of districts to No. 6 Manheim Township, an eventual state qualifier … Long-time Maidens coach Kim Saunders was honored as the Colonial’s 2024 Coach of the Year … Waynesboro graduated a couple of Colonial All-Stars in First Teamer Jaeda Dockman and Second Team selection Olivia Fortmann, but is projected to return three other All-Stars in Breanna McIlquham, Klara Helman, and Kayelyn Baker … With several other experienced players expected to return, the Maidens will be pursuing their first district title in program history. Waynesboro is a three-time district runner-up, with the team settling for second-place finishes in 1988, 1989, and 1991.
Opener: Tuesday, Aug. 26, at James Buchanan
Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils
Coach: Madee Goodwin
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial
Last season: 20-3, 13-1 division
Top projected returners: Abigail Eagler (Sr., OH, 5-8), Wren Roberts (Sr., OH), Hayleigh Lowe (Sr., OH), Kinzee Hudson (Sr., L/DS, 5-6), Kylie Kerns (Sr., S/MH, 5-8), Jordyn Wagner (Jr., MH, 5-10), Kaitlyn Alvey (Sr., S, 5-5).
Notable: Led by Colonial Division Player of the Year Abigail Eagler, the Blue Devils had a season for the ages, capturing first place in their division before making a deep playoff run … Greencastle came into the District 3-3A Tournament as the No. 1 seed and secured wins over No. 9 Susquehannock (3-0), No. 4 Big Spring (3-1), and No. 3 Middletown (3-2) on the way to its first district title in program history … The Blue Devils moved on states, topping Conwell-Egan by a 3-1 score in the first round before being eliminated in the quarterfinals with a 3-0 loss to Beaver … Eagler, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter and Bloomsburg University recruit, is back for her senior season after totaling 372 kills, 60 aces, 13 blocks, and 297 digs last fall … The Blue Devils return two other All-Stars in First Teamer Kylie Kerns and Second Team selection Wren Roberts. Kerns racked up 193 kills, 48 aces, 25 blocks, 239 digs, and 478 assists, while Roberts piled up 134 kills, 38 aces, seven blocks, 206 digs, and 11 assists … While Greencastle graduated two All-Stars in Alaina Garling and Emma Pool, the team has reason to be optimistic as it brings back four others with varsity experience: Jordyn Wagner, Hayleigh Lowe, Kinzee Hudson, and Kaitlyn Alvey.
Opener: Tuesday, Aug. 26, at home vs. West Perry
Chambersburg Trojans
Coach: Ty Frelin
Division: Mid-Penn Commonwealth
Last season: 17-4, 9-3 division
Top projected returners: Ava Zeigler (Sr., S/OPP, 5-7), Kasey Moser (Jr., OH/MH/OPP), Faith Gillman (Sr., OPP/OH, 5-10), Kylee Perry (So., DS/OH/S, 5-7), Olivia Shearer (Jr., OH/OPP/MH, 6-0), Nizaya Hawkins (Sr., MH/OPP, 6-0), Ayla Whiteley (So., MH/OPP/OH, 5-10), Allison Bert (Sr., S/DS, 5-8), Riley Cramer (Sr., MB/OPP, 6-0), Natalie Miller (So., DS, 5-2), Lexi Poe (So., OH/DS, 5-6), Elizabeth Porter (So., DS, 5-3), Emma Yoder (Jr., OH, 5-7), Cassidy Reath (Jr., DS, 5-5), Kaylie Stull (Sr., L/DS/OH, 5-7), Grace Myers (So., S/OPP, 5-6), Kaitlyn Thomas (Sr., MH/OPP, 5-10).
Notable: Chambersburg coach Ty Frelin was named the Commonwealth Division’s Coach of the Year after guiding his team to a second-place finish in the division … The Trojans went on to earn the No. 3 seed for the District 3-4A Tournament, where they opened with a 3-0 win over No. 14 Governor Mifflin before falling 3-0 in the quarterfinal round to Manheim Township, an eventual state qualifier … Frelin’s chops as a coach will be put to the test as he brings back a group that does not include a quartet of graduated Commonwealth Division All-Stars in Alayna Jones, Marah Leaman, Karley Skultety, and Riley Evans. Those four girls combined for more than 600 kills, 140 aces, 70 blocks, and 1,000 digs last season … Chambersburg does return one Second Team All-Star selection in Ava Zeigler, a 5-foot-7 setter who posted 681 assists last fall, to go along with 31 kills, 31 aces, seven blocks, 171 digs, and 36 aces … Zeigler has plenty of tall targets to deliver the ball to, including three 6-footers in Olivia Shearer, Nizaya Hawkins, and Riley Cramer, as well as the 5-foot-10 Kasey Moser, who posted 76 kills and 14 blocks in 2024 … Chambersburg will be captained by Zeigler, Moser, Hawkins, and Kaylie Stull … With this squad, the Trojans will be aiming to compete for their first district championship in program history.
Opener: Monday, Aug. 25, at Spring Grove
Fairfield Knights
Coach: Cal Meyer
Division: YAIAA III
Last season: 0-17, 0-12 division
Top projected returners: Journey Coons (Jr., S), Miah Montgomery (Sr., DS), Riley Stoner (Sr., OH), Evelyn Redding (Jr., OH), Ally Phillips (Sr., DS), Lillian Clark (So., DS), Reese Sweeney (Jr., L), Kiley Hanvey (Jr., S), Payton Stambaugh (Sr., MH), Karleigh Brantner (So., MH), Summer Rodkey (So., OH), Olivia Sanders (Sr., MH), Madelyn Laird (Jr., DS), Steph Hamilton (Jr., MH), Brooke Shriner (Jr., DS), Lillie Myers (So., MH), Hailey Mays (Jr., DS), Madisyn Knoedler (So., DS), Sydney Kreitz (Sr., S)
Notable: When the Knights take the court this fall, they will be seeking their first win since the 2023 season … Optimism will be high for Fairfield, as the program is projected to return as many as 19 roster players from last fall, including at least a dozen with varsity experience.
Opener: Tuesday, Aug. 26, at home vs. York Tech
North Hagerstown Hubs
Coach: Lacie Johnson
Classification: 3A West Region I
Last season: 19-1
Top projected returners: Caydence Doolan (Sr., OH), Lauren Ly (Sr., S/DS), Eden Shupp (Sr., MH), Lena Cassesa (So., DS/OH), Jacqueline Wilson (Sr.), Charlotte Williams (Sr., OH), Madison Shatzer (Sr., DS)
Notable: After winning its third consecutive state title, and sixth in school history, all eyes will be on North Hagerstown this fall to see if the Hubs can pull off the four-peat … North Hagerstown will have its work cut out for it as the team has lost four All-CMC players to graduation: First Teamers Lauren Hobbs and Nevaeh Ware and Honorable Mention selections Sydney Wilt and Chloe Gee … Throw in the graduation of Baylee Doolan, now playing for the US Naval Academy, and its easy to see why a deep playoff run is no guarantee for the Hubs … The good news for the Hubs is they return one of the best players in the state in senior Caydence Doolan, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter and Marquette commit who was named to the All-CMC First Team in 2024 … North Hagerstown also brings back a 6-footer in senior middle hitter Eden Shupp, while senior Lauren Ly will play a key role as a setter and defensive specialist … Several others return varsity experience, including Jacqueline Wilson, Charlotte Williams, and Madison Shatzer.
Opener: Tuesday, Sept. 9, at home vs. Fort Hill
South Hagerstown Rebels
Coach: Erin Helman
Classification: 3A West Region I
Last season: 4-11
Top projected returners: Malea Moore (Sr., OH), Isi McCarty (Sr.), Carson Lehman (So., MH), Reilly Foley (Jr., DS), Molly Pollak (Jr., DS/S)
Notable: With a solid group of returners, South Hagerstown will be angling to improve from last year’s four-win campaign that concluded with a 3-0 loss to Linganore in the 3A West Region I quarterfinals … The Rebels spent their offseason putting in the work in the FVBC Summer League … Look for senior outside hitter Malea Moore to lead South this fall. An All-CMC Large School Second Team selection, Moore totaled 58 kills, 20 aces, 144 digs, and one block last season … Carson Lehman, a 5-foot-8 middle hitter, is projected to return this season after earning All-CMC Honorable Mention honors in 2024 … Isi McCarty, a senior, also returns from valuable varsity experience … The Rebels do have a couple of holes to fill with the graduation losses of Sierra Shoemaker, now playing for Lancaster Bible College, and Shianne Hill, set to compete for Hagerstown Community College.
Opener: Thursday, Sept. 11, at home vs. Clear Spring
Smithsburg Leopards
Coach: Briana Haugh
Classification: 1A West Region II
Last season: 11-5
Top projected returners: Jenna Yoder (Jr., OH), Zoe Dixon (Jr., OH), Emery Smith (So., OH/S/OPP), Lauren Wagner (So., DS), Carlee Myers (Jr., DS/OH/S), Payton Bloom (Jr., DS), Isabella Spinelli (So., MB/OH), Mary Dorment (Sr., S), Danica Curtis (So., MB)
Notable: The last time we heard from Smithsburg, the Leopards finished their season with a 3-2 loss to Boonsboro in the 1A West Region II semifinals … Smithsburg would love to get back to that point this fall, but doing so will be easier said than done as the team graduated four of its five All-CMC players … The Leopards graduated two First Teamers in Chloe Fisher and Emily Ryder, a Second Team selection in Calli Haugh, and an Honorable Mention player in Sidonia Cecco … Smithsburg will be looking to its lone returning All-Star, Jenna Yoder, to help steer the ship this fall … Yoder, an Honorable Mention pick in 2024, is a 5-foot-6 junior outside hitter who will be counted on for kill production … The Leopards return a number of others with varsity experience, including Zoe Dixon, Lauren Wagner, Carlee Myers, Payton Bloom, Isabella Spinelli, Mary Dorment, and Danica Curtis … Smithsburg has captured 14 state titles in school history, with the most recent championship coming in 2019.
Opener: Monday, Sept. 8, at home vs. South Carroll
