JEFF REINHART | Sports WriterThe Lancaster-Lebanon League boys volleyball section races have come into focus, with the final night of league play set for May 9.
There’s a lot going on. Here’s an update. Pay attention, because there might be a pop quiz later.
SECTION SCENARIOS
Two-time reigning champ Warwick (8-1 league) is out front in Section 1, ahead of Hempfield (7-2) and Cedar Crest (5-3). The chase group includes Penn Manor (4-4), Manheim Township (3-5), Conestoga Valley (3-6) and McCaskey (0-9).
Penn Manor fell out of a third-place tie last Thursday, when the Comets fell to Cedar Crest 3-0 in Millersville, as the Falcons got nine kills apiece from Aaron Walters and Aidan Vukovich — plus a big blocking effort at the net to stymie Penn Manor’s hitters.
And throw out Manheim Township’s record, by the way; the Blue Streaks are enjoying one of their best seasons since Township won league gold back in 2017. They’ve been a thorn in everyone’s side.
The key match in Section 1 this week? Easy: Hempfield at Warwick on Tuesday. If the Warriors win, they’d all but lock up the section title. If the Black Knights win, they’d force a tie for the top spot with the finish line quickly approaching. Hempfield has plenty of motivation, after missing out on the league playoffs for the first time in L-L history last season.
Warwick won 3-0 at Hempfield back on April 4, thanks to 16 kills by Saint Francis recruit Kyle Charles and 35 assists by Nathan Wenger. The Warriors-Knights rivalry is arguably the best one going in the league these days. Those two met for league titles in 2021 and 2022, splitting those matches.
Also this week, Cedar Crest — a league playoff qualifier last spring — is at Manheim Township on Thursday. The Blue Streaks beat the Falcons 3-1 in Lebanon back on April 9, with Justin Over smashing 11 kills in the victory. Depending how things shake down on Tuesday, the rematch could be a for a leg up in the playoff chase; there’s still plenty on the table in Section 1.
Defending champ Manheim Central (9-0) is two games clear in Section 2, ahead of Cocalico (6-2). Elizabethtown (5-4), Lancaster Mennonite (5-4), Ephrata (4-5), Garden Spot (1-7) and Lebanon (0-8) are in spoiler mode.
The Barons finish up against Ephrata, Lebanon and Garden Spot, and Manheim Central can clinch no worse than tie for the title with one more victory. Cocalico wraps up against Lancaster Mennonite, Garden Spot, Ephrata and Elizabethtown, and the Eagles need wins to fend off the chase pack — and remain on the Barons’ heels.
Manheim Central swept the season series vs. Cocalico, so the Barons are in the driver’s seat.
PLAYOFF BRACKET
Once the section champs and runners-up are settled, the L-L League semifinals are set for May 13. The Section 1 champ hosts this year, with a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m.
The opener will pit the Section 2 champ against the Section 1 runner-up, with the Section 1 champ squaring off against the Section 2 runner-up in the nightcap.
The league championship match is on tap for May 15 at 7 p.m. at Manheim Township. Manheim Central topped Warwick in last year’s finale. The Barons are angling for back-to-back crowns; the Warriors are gunning for their fourth trip in a row to the league title match.
A NEW LOOK
Change is coming to the section formats in 2025, with two teams going down to Section 2, two teams moving up to Section 1, and a new team joining the league.
Going up: Elizabethtown and Ephrata.
Going down: Conestoga Valley and McCaskey.
And say hello to Northern Lebanon, which will slide into Section 2 after playing a couple of independent seasons to get the Vikings’ program going.
SILVER FOR COMETS, EAGLES
Elizabethtown hosted its first invitational event back on April 20, and Penn Manor reached the title match. The Comets, who beat the host Bears 25-23 in the semifinals, fell to state-ranked Hershey 25-18 in the championship.
This past weekend, Elizabethtown and Cocalico played in the Dallastown Invitational, and the Eagles reached the title match, where Cocalico fell to Brandywine Heights. The Eagles’ only setback in pool play was against state-ranked Dock Mennonite.
The only L-L League team in the PVCA state rankings is Manheim Central; the Barons will open the week at No. 2 in Class 2A, sandwiched between two D3-2A rivals: Exeter is No. 1 and Lower Dauphin, the 3-time reigning state champ, is No. 3.
The Eagles, Barons and Falcons — along with Central York in Class 3A — are the only undefeated teams in District 3.
PVCA BOYS VOLLEYBALL STATE RANKINGS
DISTRICT 3 UPDATE
The top 14 finishers make the Class 3A bracket, and Warwick (No. 2), Hempfield (No. 6), Cedar Crest (No. 9) and Penn Manor (No. 13) will start the week inside the bubble.
The top 12 finishers make the Class 2A bracket, and Manheim Central (No. 3), Cocalico (No. 6), Lancaster Mennonite (No. 7), Northern Lebanon (No. 10) and Linville Hill Christian out of the CCAC (No. 12) will start the week in good shape.
DISTRICT 3 BOYS VOLLEYBALL POWER RATINGS
The district tournament gets started on May 21.
TUESDAY’S LEAGUE SCHEDULE
SECTION 1
McCaskey at Cedar Crest, 7 p.m.
Hempfield at Warwick, 7 p.m. (LNP coverage)
Penn Manor at Manheim Township, 7 p.m.
SECTION 2
Ephrata at Manheim Central, 7 p.m.
Lebanon at Garden Spot, 7 p.m.
Lancaster Mennonite at Cocalico, 7 p.m.
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