Last year, Section 1 champ Hempfield and Section 2 champ Manheim Central battled for the overall Lancaster-Lebanon boys’ volleyball title. Hempfield won that match in three games to claim its 19th league crown.
Both teams suffered key losses from their squads. In Section 1, Defending District 3-AAA champion Hempfield lost an all-state outside hitter and libero. In Section 2, Manheim Central and Lancaster Mennonite lost two all-state players each.
The losses don’t appear to have hurt Hempfield, which is unbeaten so far. Garden Spot and Mennonite are off to hot starts in Section 2, with unbeaten records.
Here’s a look at who’s back and who’s gone for each team in both sections (teams are listed in alphabetical order).
Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1
Cedar Crest Coach Eric Knight
Last year: 7-11 fourth in division, made league playoffs
Starters returning: Zach Livering, OH, Sr.; Jeff Lesher, S, Sr.; James Mackie, OH, Sr.
Starters lost: Clay Penchard, Killian Klopp, Ahmed Nasar, Mac Booth, Caleb Albert
Conestoga Valley Coach Ric See
Last year: 2-10
Starters returning: Andrew Barton, OPP, Sr.; Anderson Nguyen, OH, Sr.; Bailey Eisenberger, MH; Hunter Veitch, MH
Ephrata Coach Bob Witwer
Last year: 4-8 in section
Starters returning: Clayton Kurtz, OH, Sr.; Alex Modrzecki, S, So., Nick Farlow, MH, So.
Starters lost: Jordan Shultz, Trey Waltman, Cody Springer, Cody Rhineer
Hempfield Coach Mike Vogel
Last year: 20-1, Defending District 3-AAA champs, lost to Pennsbury in the state quarters
Starters returning: Ben Naumann, OH, Jr.; Chris Booth, OH, Jr.; Sam Prescott, S, Sr.; role players Matt Lawrence, OH/L, Sr.; Colton Frey, L, Sr.
Starters lost: 4 Garrett Dimm, Zach Walter, Ryan Schmucker, Mitch Gregg
Manheim Twp. Coach Jack Damiano
Last year: 3-9
Starters returning: JJ Ruhl, OH; Grant Batzer, L; Carson Brown, MH
Starters lost: Kyle Newcomer, Chad Schmerse, Matt Pendleton
McCaskey Coach Jeff Kindrew
Starters returning: Wesley Troop, S, Sr.; Elijah Cooper, OHWesley Troop, S, Sr.; Elijah Cooper, OH
Penn Manor Coach Chris Telesco
Last year: 25-10, 9-3
Starters returning: Conner Herbert, MH, Sr.; Dawson Funk, S, Jr.; Sam Greenslade, OH, So.
Starters lost: Dustin Hornberger, Lucas Charney, Mark Dano and Devon Reis
Warwick Coach Nate Gajecki
Returning seniors: David Bechtel, MH/OPP; Paul Berg, MH; Brad Dussinger, OH; Zach Gingrich, L/OH; Jon Gonzales, L/OPP; Colton Keller, MH; Kurt Maysilles, OH; Gavin Schaffer, OPP
Lancaster-Lebanon Section 2
Cocalico Coach David Weaver
Last year: 5-9, 5-7
Starters returning: Justis Lorah, Mitch Stauffer, Matt Lawver, John Waskowicz
Starters lost: Wes Rathman, Alex Genova, Mike Carty and Johnny Pha
Elizabethtown Coach Katie Miller
Last year: Fourth in section
Starters returning: Craig Miller, S, Sr.
Starters lost: Beau Walmer, Justin Kotzmoyer, Logan Finley, Andrew Dewire, Juston Wolgamoth, Ian Eichelburger, Luke Snyder
Garden Spot Coach Ben Rutt
Last year: 8-6 in league
Starters returning: Matt Hith, OH, Sr.; Micah Hostetter, S, Sr.; Alex Myers, MH, Sr.; Austin Sindall, MH, Jr.; Justin Stolzfus, OPP, Sr.; John Umble, OH, Sr.; Aaron Straubel, L, Sr.; Caleb Williams, DS, Jr.
Starters lost: Zach Weaver
Lancaster Mennonite Coach Gary Martin
Last year: 10-2
Starters returning: Jared Sands, MH, Jr.; Logan Garber, MH, Sr.
Starters lost: Jerel Sensenig, Nick Weaver, Jon Snader, Caleb Gish, Cole Hoover, Jesherun Shuman and Colin Nafziger.
Lebanon Coach Jeffrey Albright
Last year: 1-15
Starters returning: Connnor Keath, S/OH, Sr.; Ariel Conzalez, M/OH, Jr.; Jacob Amon, M/OH, Jr.; Dalton Whitman, OH/S/MH, Sr.; Corey Remlinger, M/OH, Sr.; Saheem Gil, OH, Sr.
Starters lost: Freeman Miller, Ben Boyer, Edgardo Matos and Rigoberto Colon
Manheim Central Coach Craig Dietrich
Last year: 12-0
Starters returning: Tucker Ford, OH, Sr.
Starters lost: Josiah Hershberger, Robbie Lawyer, Luke Spang, Brayden Fahnestock and Shawn Sauder.