Cumberland Valley coach Terry Ranck believes there are four teams with a shot to win the Mid-Penn Commonwealth boys’ volleyball title. Each one — CV, Central Dauphin, Chambersburg and State College — lost at least one major player from last year’s teams.
Central Dauphin, which finished second in the district and made it to the state semifinals, Chambersburg and State College each lost all-state hitters. Cumberland Valley lost a PennLive Big 15 hitter.
In the Keystone Division, coaches expect Lower Dauphin to repeat as division champ despite returning just one starter from last year’s squad.
Here’s a look at who’s back for each team in both divisions. Teams are listed in projected order of finish.
Mid-Penn Commonwealth
Central Dauphin Coach Josh Brenneman
Last year: 16-4, 8-2 division to finish second
Starters returning: Jacob Kerschner, setter, Jr.; Mahlon Bender, middle, Sr.; Matt Peron, outside, Sr.; Tim Callahan, outside, Sr.
Starters lost: Josh Donahue, Nick Vereb, Chris Johnson, Charlie Johnson.
Cumberland Valley Coach Terry Ranck
Last year: 6-7, 5-5
Starters returning: both middles Michael Hoare and Austin Liprando Srs., junior outside Michael Fisher, outside/backup setter Andrew Frank Sr., Eli Plasterer Jr. setter
Starters lost: Tom D’Arcy, Clayton Pirtle, Jerry Rohrbaugh libero tore his ACL after soccer season and is done for season
Chambersburg Coach Marta Cummings
Last year: 14-4, 10-0 division to win title
Starters returning: Keith Kegerreis, Sr.; Brady Byers, Jr.; Caleb Strite, Sr.; Jayson Sollenberger, Jr.
Starters lost: Mitch Stahl, Brent Rice, Austin Frazer
State College Coach Kim-Li M Kimel
Last year: 9-8, 5-5
Starters returning: Parker Thompson, Clark Handel, Andrew Groves and Deniz Demirci, all seniors.
Starters lost: Ib Almoaiqel, Eric Deshong, John Dorsey, Noah Hanahan, Alex Novack, Kevin Paroda, Kyle Shafer, Jonathon Ready
Carlisle Coach RJ Roth
Last year: 5-11, 2-8 fifth in conference
Starters returning: Pete Hoy, Sr.; Nisaiah Johnson, Sr.; Ellis Johnson, Sr.; Derek Radley, Sr.; Max Stephens, Sr.
Starters lost: Ben Hittie, Chad Standback.
CD East Coach Jim Creason
Last year: 2-13, 0-10
Starters returning: Dan Cronen, Otis Green
Mid-Penn Keystone
Lower Dauphin Dave Machamer
Last year: 13-3, 10-0 to win division
Starters returning: Shannon Heckman, lib, Sr.
Starters lost: Jamison Hankins, Russell Kreider
Hershey Coach Nate Erdman
Last year: 13-3, 8-2 to finish second in division
Starters/varsity players returning: 0
Starters lost: 8, including Kasey Gentry
Mechanicsburg Coach Jake Heck
Last year: 6-8, 4-6
Starters returning: Quay San, Sr.; Kaden Knepper, Jr.; Ian Capp, So.
Starters lost: Rogan Barrick, Frank Hoy
Northern Coach Heather Manock
Last year: 4-12, 2-8
Starters returning: Matt Yohn, MB/OH, Sr. Other returners: Kaleb Griffiths, OH, Sr.; Matt Simmons, S, So.
Starters lost: 6
Cedar Cliff Coach Gary Frutiger
Last year: 0-11, 0-10
Starters returning: Ethan Wilson, MH, Sr.; Brian Atwood, OH, Jr.; Zach Bygall, MH, So.; Joe Holston, L, Jr.
Starters lost: 4
Red Land Coach Matt Marshall
Last year: 12-7, 6-4 third in division
Starters returning: Morgan Harman, middle, Sr.
Starters lost: Doug Schreiner, Avery Spiess, Sam Mortimer, Kevin Brown, Tyler Zeiders