GABBY ALLEN, RESERVOIR

The Gators’ game is built on defense and their defense is built on Allen. The 5-foot-7 senior libero directed her teammates and averaged more than six digs per match last season to help the Gators to the Class 3A state championship and a share of the Howard County title. Stellar at reading opposing offenses and making adjustments, Allen would have had far more digs, but the Gators had a strong blocking defense too. She is committed to play for Howard University.

MAILINH GODSCHALL, CENTENNIAL

A strong all-around player at 5-feet-9, the junior will be a libero in college and is looking at some top Division I programs, but she is an offensive weapon for the Eagles. Last season, she had 282 kills as an outside hitter and also had 273 digs and 63 aces. Defensively, Godschall has an instinct for where to be on the court and is a key reason the Eagles rarely let a ball drop. At the net, she hits with accuracy and easily mixes up her placement throughout a match.

SAFI HAMPTON, HAMMOND

The top returning player in Howard County, the 6-foot-1 senior is a powerhouse outside hitter. An All-Howard County selection since her freshman year, Hampton had 236 kills, an average of 18 per match, last fall and she also had 29 blocks, 123 digs, 24 aces and nine assists. She has an innately fine touch on the ball, a soaring vertical jump and an off-the-charts volleyball IQ. Hampton is committed to play for North Carolina.

SARAH HART, LIBERTY

A 6-foot-1 outside hitter, Hart is a four-year starter who plays every rotation. The All-Carroll County selection had 216 kills last season as well as 25 blocks, 113 digs, nine assists and 32 aces. Hart sees the court well, is aggressive and can hit almost any ball with accurate placement. She also stands out for her middle back row defense on a team that does not play with a libero.

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LINDSAY KELLEY, GLENELG

As a sophomore, the 5-foot-9 setter made the Class 2A state champions’ offense run smoothly. Kelley had 592 assists, averaging 7.9 per set. She also had 73 kills, 125 digs and 51 aces. This fall, she will assume even more of a leadership role after the Gladiators’ top hitter transferred and they bring in a couple of freshmen hitters. Kelley’s skill and experience, however, should help them adjust quickly.

LILY LAGARAS, CROFTON

Lagaras missed six matches late last season after rolling an ankle, but she still had 89 kills in a balanced offense. She led the Cardinals in kills in the five-set Class 3A state quarterfinal loss despite being out of a boot for only a week. A second-team All-Anne Arundel County pick last season, the 6-foot outside hitter has a powerful hit with excellent timing and a good vertical leap. She also served at 85 percent with 19 aces in the Cardinals inaugural season.

RYLEE LENZ, BOHEMIA MANOR

A middle hitter last season for the Class 1A state semifinalists, Lenz will move to the outside where she has played at times for her club team. The 6-foot-1 senior finished last season with 208 kills, 47 blocks, 196 digs and 69 aces. She is still adjusting to the timing of the slower tempo on the outside, but she’s an explosive player, elevates well and hits with accuracy.

LIBBY POTTER, MARYVALE PREP

The 5-foot-11 outside hitter is poised to take on an even bigger role this fall for the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference champions after they graduated their top hitter. Last season, Potter contributed 162 kills and had a kill percentage of 48.4. She also had 15 blocks and 70 digs. The senior, an All-Conference selection who is committed to Mary Washington, will rarely leave the court.

BELLA RUBINO, BROADNECK

A four-year veteran and three-year starter, Rubino acts as a coach on the court with her leadership and resilience. The 6-foot outside hitter is a smart attacker and a strong defensive player who rarely comes off the court. Last season, she had 177 kills for the Class 4A East regional finalists as well as 12 blocks, 122 digs, 126 service points and 43 aces.

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MADELINE STEWART, BROADNECK

The top returning setter in Anne Arundel County, Stewart has been starting since her sophomore year. She had 388 assists last fall for the Class 4A East regional finalists. At 6-feet-1, she had 63 kills and 17 blocks. The senior won 122 points on her serve and had 34 assists. A second-team All-County selection last season, Stewart has committed to play at American University.

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