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After coming home without a girls volleyball state title in 2007, Montgomery County seems poised to redeem itself in '08 with a few teams that have a legitimate shot at glory in later this month at Ritchie Coliseum in College Park.
1A West
With four consecutive trips to the state tournament from 2002-05 and undefeated regular seasons the past two years, Poolesville has been a model of consistency for Montgomery County girls volleyball.
As the lone Class 1A school in the county, with an enrollment just over 1,000 students, the Falcons' (14-0) success has come primarily against the larger 4A schools.
"I like it," said Poolesville head coach Fran Duvall earlier this year. "It would be great if we could play matches like this throughout the year, but unfortunately it is not like that. I think if you play better, you get better. If you play even or below you are not pushing yourself towards anything so I like it. Everyone asks us that. I don't think it's a disadvantage."
Led by seven seniors, including Jenny Better, Cecilia Blanc, Jessica Chittenden and Chelsea Glowacki, the Falcons have plenty of experience to draw from playing "up" a few classifications. Their familiarity with each other has definitely paid dividends; even to the extent that a few opposing coaches think Poolesville may be the best team in the county, if not the state.
"They are definitely the best team we've played this year," said Gaithersburg coach Michele Staymates, whose team has also played other top programs like B-CC and Magruder. "We are pulling for Fran."
B-CC head coach Michelle Clise agrees.
"You know what I really think is that we competed with the best team in Montgomery County," said Clise after the Barons' loss to Poolesville earlier this year. "When we can put balls down against one of the best, if not the best, team in the county and get blocks and just do the things we are used to doing against all the other teams it says something about us."
After receiving a first-round bye, the Falcons hosted Hancock (3-13) in a 1A West Region quarterfinal on Monday. The winner of the match faces the victor of the Southern-Williamsport match Wednesday in the regional semifinals.
4A West
Northwest (9-6) won its first playoff game in the school's 11-year history over Richard Montgomery (3-12) on Friday in the first round of the 4A West regional.
First-year head coach Rob Smith may deserve some Coach of the Year consideration after leading the Jaguars to their best record in school history. However, the Jags had to travel to top-seeded Magruder Monday.
The Colonels (13-1) are coming off their second consecutive one-loss campaign. After a disappointing regional semifinal exit in 2007, Magruder has its best chance to capture its first-ever state title in 2008.
If the Colonels advance, they will most likely face rival Gaithersburg (12-3), which defeated Whitman (4-11) in the first round, in a regional semifinal Wednesday. However, the Trojans had to get by 2006 4A state champion Sherwood (7-8), which defeated Walter Johnson (7-8) in the first round.
"Everybody is different now," said Staymates, whose team lost to Magruder on Sept. 22. "This is game 15 or 16, so everybody left is playing on all cylinders. We have been really blessed with good players and that seems to be working out pretty well."
Last year's 4A state runner-up, Wootton (7-8), advanced after defeating Quince Orchard in the first round. The Patriots faced off against second-seeded Blake on Monday.
They winner will face the victor of the Churchill-Blair quarterfinal match Wednesday.
3A West
If senior outside hitter Maddy Carretero has fully recovered from a stress fracture in her foot, B-CC (11-3) should be in good shape to win its second consecutive 3A West Region title. The Barons received a first-round bye and faced Seneca Valley (2-13) on Monday.
Watkins Mill (11-3) also received a bye and played Urbana (5-9) on Monday. The winner will face the B-CC-Seneca victor today.
Last year's No. 1 seed, Damascus, faced off against Tuscarora in the regional quarterfinal while top-seeded Paint Branch (11-3) hosted Frederick (5-11). The winners will play today.
2A West
Northwood (6-9) defeated Rockville (4-11), 3-0, on Friday to advance to a second round match at South Hagerstown. It was the second consecutive first round victory for the Gladiators. Clarksburg lost to Middletown 3-0.
In private school action…
Stone Ridge (8-12) ended its season in the semifinals of the ISL "A" tournament. The Gators lost to Holton-Arms in five games.
