Severna Park, Broadneck Volleyball Flying High

Severna Park’s volleyball team rolled through September, giving encouraging signs of progress as they finished the month with a 5-1 mark.

The Falcons’ only blemish on the season heading into an October 1 showdown with Broadneck came courtesy of a four-set loss to Arundel on September 17. Beyond that, Severna Park swept Glen Burnie and Annapolis to start the season and sandwiched the Arundel loss with impressive wins over McDonogh (four sets) and Crofton (five). They concluded the month with a four-set win over South River.

Through six matches, the Falcons have been paced offensively by junior outside hitter Lizzie Ranaghan, who has 51 total kills and also leads the team with 2.3 kills per set played. Behind her is senior middle blocker Courtlynn Edwards, who has 36 kills and leads the team in both blocks (12) and attack efficiency (.198). Setters Genevieve Willis and Jennifer Hong have combined for 123 assists, while defensive specialist Kathryn Rojek leads the team with 68 digs.

The Falcons are currently tied for top spot in the 3A East Region I standings, sharing that position with Stephen Decatur.

Bruin Spikers Gearing Up for Run

Heading into the October 1 rivalry game with Severna Park, Broadneck finds itself sitting at 5-2 after September play concluded.

All five of the Bruins’ victories have come in straight sets: over St. Paul’s School for Girls, Severn Run, Old Mill, South River, and most recently, Glen Burnie. They recorded successive setbacks on the road in the two days before the Glen Burnie match, falling in five sets to Arundel and four to Musselman (West Virginia).

The Bruins have spread the ball around as anticipated, incorporating multiple hitters into the attack. So far, outside hitter Anna Graves and middle hitter Kennedy Smith have seen the most fruit, consistently leading the team’s kill totals. Graves had a season-high 11 kills against Arundel.

The setter tandem of Sydney Lawrence and Barrett Bolter has diversified the attack as well, sharing the setting load and allowing for more attack to take place. The pair consistently has combined for double figures in both assists and digs, with Lawrence logging team highs in both against Arundel (22 assists, 23 digs). Both have recorded set-dig double-doubles during the season.

The Bruins are currently third in the 4A East Region II standings, trailing unbeaten Leonardtown and one-loss Annapolis.