Following back-to-back seasons that saw North Hagerstown’s girls volleyball squad win an MPSSAA 3A state title, it’s only natural to wonder if the Hubs can pull off the three-peat this fall.
We’ll find out soon enough as four wins are all that separate North Hagerstown from a third state title. The postseason journey resumes for the Hubs on Wednesday when they take on Linganore in the 3A West Region I Final, a match that will send the winner to the state quarterfinals. We’ve selected this high-powered matchup as our Match of the Week.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Match of the Week. Any big upcoming games we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at big_andy76@yahoo.com.
MPSSAA 3A West Region I Final
No. 1 North Hagerstown vs. No. 2 Linganore
Match time: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 6 p.m., at North Hagerstown
Records: North Hagerstown is 14-1, while Linganore checks in with a 13-3 mark.
Last match: The No. 1-seeded Hubs cruised past No. 4 Tuscarora 3-0 in the 3A West Region I semifinals, while No. 2 Linganore advanced to the title match with a 3-0 win over No. 3 Manchester Valley.
Last Meeting: North Hagerstown collected a 3-1 win over Linganore on Oct. 15.
What’s at stake: The winner advances to this weekend’s state quarterfinal round. The season is over for the loser.
Meet the Hubs: Expectations for North Hagertown, the two-time defending MPSSAA 3A state champions, took a hit when the Hubs lost all-star senior and Navy commit Baylee Doolan for the entire fall with a torn ACL in a preseason scrimmage. Things looked even bleaker for the Hubs when they opened their season with a 3-1 loss to James Wood (Va.). But coach Lacie Johnson’s North Hagerstown squad regrouped, turned the corner, and haven’t looked back since. The Hubs enter this pivotal playoff matchup on a 14-match winning streak. Filling the shoes of Doolan has been her younger sister, Caydence, a 5-foot-11 junior outside hitter who showcases a strong offensive touch at the net to go along with a high-velocity serve. Joining Doolan at the net is senior middle hitter Neveah Ware, a big blocking threat, as well as Leah Fornwalt and Chloe Gee. Lauren Hobbs, a 5-foot-8 setter, is clever with ball movement and sharp on her serves, while Lauren Ly plays a slick brand of defense. Expect Madison Shatzer, Jacqueline Wilson, and Eden Shupp to also ink their names into the scorebook by the end of the night. The Hubs face a stiff challenge in the Lancers, but there are too many weapons on this North Hagerstown roster to consider the squad anything other than a heavy favorite.
Meet the Lancers: Coach Andrea Poffinberger’s Linganore squad has lived up to its No. 2 seed so far this postseason, with the Lancers going through No. 7 South Hagerstown and No. 3 Manchester Valley to earn a spot in the championship match against top-seeded North Hagerstown. Linganore is led by a trio of senior captains in outside hitters Skylar Shields and Katie Bollhorst, and libero Sadie Gladhill. Those captains are set to guide a senior-heavy lineup that includes Camryn Rawlett (right side/outside hitter), Erika Latimer (middle blocker/right side), Christina Contardi (middle blocker), and Makenzie Shearer (libero). The Lancers enter this match on a five-match winning streak, and will need all the confidence they can get to earn their first win over North Hagerstown since 2017.
Sandrik’s pick: Hubs in 4
