Will it be Boonsboro? Williamsport? What about Clear Spring? Maybe Smithsburg?

Washington County’s four MVAL Antietam volleyball teams all believe they have what it takes to be conference champions. All four have dreams of a Maryland Class 1A state title — and all four have legitimate reasons to believe this is the year.

It’s going to make for a riveting season.

“You always want good competition,” Wildcats coach Emily Crabtree said. “You want to make sure you’re playing the best, because when you win, you feel like you’ve accomplished something. There’s really no front-runner this year, I think.

“It might be one of those, ‘I beat you, you beat them, they beat the other team’ sort of deals and we wind up in a four-team tie.”

Williamsport won the Antietam with a 5-0 record last year, with Boonsboro second at 4-1. But the Warriors flipped the script in the 1A West playoffs, defeating the Wildcats in five tense games to reach the state semifinals for the first time since 1985. Boonsboro went on to reach the state final before falling to South Carroll.

The Warriors waved good-bye to two All-County First Team performers — setter Tara Garver and middle hitter Katie Gantz — but have All-County Second Team outside hitter Alison Griffith back, as well as hitters Cortney Silvis and Brynn Arnone, setter Becca Demers and defensive specialist Kelsie Trumbull.

“There’s no doubt in my mind we bring a lot to the table, and I expect us to be back at the top again,” Boonsboro coach Amanda Parry said. “There’s a lot of competition. I think Clear Spring could be one of the best teams. But knowing the plan of attack and the things we need to do to get ready, I definitely believe we can still be one of the top teams.”

Williamsport is one of the most storied programs in the state, with 12 state titles — including four straight from 2002 to 2005.

The Wildcats lost several accomplished players to graduation — including All-County First Team outside hitter Hailee Growden, All-County Second Team middle hitter Katie Koontz and setters Christine Barnes and Lindsey Kneisley. But they return the county’s most athletically gifted attacker in All-County First Team senior middle hitter Cayla Broadwater, and want to return to the state tournament after a two-year absence.

“I have some senior leadership and that’s a good thing because I have three sophomores and a junior,” Crabtree said. “It’s going to be a learning experience for the young ones, and I hope they step up and do what we need them to do.”

Boonsboro and Williamsport are the established powers of recent years, but it will be tough to keep Clear Spring and Smithsburg from breaking through to the top tier this year. Both the Blazers and Leopards have all their key players back and are ready to take the next step.

Clear Spring returns three All-MVAL Antietam first team performers in outside hitters Lindsay Lacy and Amanda Jenkins and middle hitter Emily Pinkham. With them leading the way, the Blazers may have the most diverse attack in the county.

“We’re trying to stay very, very level, stay with fundamentals and stay calm, but the girls are so excited, there’s a lot of intensity in the air up here,” Blazers coach Kim Malphurs said. “All of our players can hit from everywhere, and that’s scary when you play someone and they can come from every direction. It’s tough to stop.”

Smithsburg returns five players who earned conference or All-County honors last season — middle hitters Colleen Black and Sara Rishell, outside hitter Nikki Siefert, setter Valerie Smith and defensive specialist Mollie Kieffer.

Boonsboro

The biggest question the Warriors face is, how do they replace such a splendid all-around performer like Tara Garver? Her serving, setting and attacking all were invaluable in Boonsboro’s playoff run last year.

“I’m not too worried about filling her shoes. I think there are some girls who will step in and fill those roles,” Parry said. “Tara is a tough player to replace, she was a great player in all aspects, but all the girls we have coming back will contribute in their own way.”

Setter Becca Demers and defensive specialist Kelsie Trumbull will be pivotal pieces of this year’s puzzle, because if the Warriors can consistently pass and set the ball, they have attackers — especially Alison Griffith and Brynn Arnone — who can do damage.

Broadfording

Last year’s Mason Dixon Christian Conference tournament and Maryland Christian Schools tournament champions have their three top players back from a year ago — All-County First Team defensive specialist Danielle DuBois, All-County Second Team middle hitter Hannah Young and All-MDCC second-team setter Rebecca Adams. The Lions expect to challenge Grace Academy for league honors again.

“I have two new outside hitters (Ariana Litten, Maegan Taylor), so that’s going to be interesting,” Broadfording coach Joe Cartwright said. “I’m hoping defense will be a strength, especially with DuBois, and Young is probably our most dominating hitter.”

Clear Spring

In addition to the big three hitters up front, the Blazers also have setters Katie Blickenstaff and Megan Micco back — both will likely be key pieces in Clear Spring’s 6-2 set. Middle hitter Hannah House, outside hitter Lily Pinkham and libero Breanne Purdham are the other returnees, and setter Damara McDonough and outside hitter Paige Shirk joined the team this season to add more depth.

“They are very confident in a good way,” Malphurs said. “They have a lot of respect for Williamsport. I asked them my first year I went there what their goals were, and they wanted to get to the level of Williamsport, and I think they’re there. ... They want it. They’re hungry, and we’re going for it. We’ll see what happens.”

Grace Academy

The Knights will miss outside hitter Rebecca Morgan, an All-Area First Team honoree last year who has become a big part of Hagerstown Community College’s nationally respected program. All-MDCC first-team defensive specialist Lauren Cox is also gone, but All-County Second Team setter Jamie Shurnitski returns, along with middle hitter Kara Rudisill and outside hitter Jennifer Waltz.

Grace struck the first blow in the battle for MDCC bragging rights, defeating Broadfording in three games on Aug. 28.

“I was very, very pleased with that win,” Knights coach Diana Serafini said. “We played really well for the second game of the season. A lot of things came together and we looked pretty good.”

Hancock

The Panthers had a rough go of it last year, struggling to a 3-13 record. The good news is, they have six players back — hitters Hayley Ruppenthal, Kaitlyn Sterner, Kelsey White and Shawnda Wills, setter Kelsea Pittman and libero Chelsea Unger — and there’s hope a year of experience under their belts will lead to better things.

“They work really well together,” Hancock coach Tara Keefer said. “I think they’re really comfortable playing together. I expect a few more wins this years. I’m just trying to get them pumped up and ready to go.”

Heritage Academy

The Eagles had a solid 2007 season, finishing 11-9 and fourth in the MDCC. They return All-MDCC second-team outside hitter Morgan McIntire — a two-time Herald-Mail All-Area First Team basketball star — and setter Kelly Butts and outside hitter Rebekah Clarke have played well early this season. Outside hitter Brianna Dorsey also returns, and middle hitter Kara Stamper is an addition.

“We only lost one senior, and we got everybody else back plus Kara, who’s a really good middle hitter and server,” Heritage coach Youngsook Anderson said. “Our setter has a little more experience this year, and I think we have a really good team. I expect them to do really well.”

North Hagerstown

What a difference a year makes. No team was hurt more by graduation than the Hubs — and it goes beyond losing two-time Herald-Mail Player of the Year Kate Zimmer, who’s now at Maryland. All-County First Team setter Hannah Boward and All-MVAL Piedmont first-team middle hitter Minta Lovell also are gone.

What’s left? Defensive specialists Alyssa Collier and Courtney Bowlus played a key role in North’s run to the Class 2A state final last year. Outside hitters Maria Bergan and Rachel Amalfitano also are back, and the Hubs will welcome young middle hitters Akilah McCall and Autumn Fisher and setter Megan Plume to the fold.

“We’re going to be young, and mistakes are going to happen,” Hubs coach Megan Crawford said. “But they have a good work ethic and I’m excited to see what they’re going to do. ... Defense is obviously going to be our big thing. We’re young up front, but I think it will come with time.”

Smithsburg

It wasn’t that long ago that the Leopards were one of the top programs in the state, winning Class 1A state titles in 1998, 2000 and 2001 — and playing in a few classics against Williamsport. Smithsburg hasn’t reached that level since, but the Leopards may be ready to ascend the ladder once again.

The pieces are all there — potent attackers in middle hitters Colleen Black and Sara Rishell and outside hitter Nikki Siefert, a quality setter in Valerie Smith and a back-row workhorse in Mollie Kieffer. If it all comes together, the results could be memorable.

South Hagerstown

The Rebels are an interesting team to try to analyze. They lost a couple key pieces in Brittany Hyatt — whose ability to do many different things on the court was similar to Tara Garver — and middle hitter Mar’ke Cosley, now at HCC. But South still has a solid nucleus in All-MVAL Piedmont first-team middle hitter Rebecca Pearl, All-Piedmont second-team outside hitter Desiree Giffin, outside hitter Emma Stahl, setter Sarah Burgan and libero Sarah Renner.

“With the majority of the starters returning, we expect to be competitive,” Rebels coach Chuck Weaver said. “I think the team is a close group this year, with a little bit more drive than last.”

Saint James

The Saints’ biggest loss — All-County First Team middle hitter Heather Lowery, who graduated — leaves a sizable hole, but they may be able to fill it. St. James still has All-County First Team outside hitter Callan Spicher, and outside hitter Sunny Bae and setters Alina Rossini and Lindsey Gish all were solid last season. Coach Wendi Smith also is excited about the arrival of middle hitter Regena Reyes.

“We can’t overlook anybody, and I hope nobody overlooks us because we’re going to be competitive,” Smith said. “Last year, we were trying to find girls to play JV volleyball. This year, I had to cut five girls. I hate to cut girls, but it excites me that more girls are coming out. It makes a difference.”

St. Maria Goretti

The Gaels struggled to a 4-12 record last year, and lost their top player — All-Apple Valley League first-team defensive specialist Gabby Turano — to graduation. But they do have two experienced seniors back in setter Natalie Ferretti and middle hitter Catie Breslin.

“Their roles are huge because they’ve been starters on varsity all four years,” Gaels coach Leah Easterday said. “I need them to take a leadership role, and I think they definitely will.”

Junior outside hitters Sarah Swope and Courtney Thompson will look to add depth and diversity to the Gaels’ attack.

Williamsport

Emily Crabtree’s teams have never been one-dimensional, and there’s no reason to think this one will be — even though Cayla Broadwater, an explosive athlete who’s a state champion in the high jump, long jump and triple jump, will certainly have her share of opportunities to unleash her brand of lightning.

For the Wildcats to get back to where they’re accustomed to — the state stage — they need hitters Brittany Malott, Lacee Hershberger and Amanda Hutzell to provide other attacking options. And they need to find a setter, or maybe two, to replace the departed Christine Barnes and Lindsey Kneisley.

“It’s definitely going to be a team effort. You can’t rely on one player,” Crabtree said. “I’m looking for consistency. That’s the key. You get one kill and hit 10 out of bounds, that does us no good.”

Ten Players to Watch

Cayla Broadwater, Williamsport — She’s one of the Tri-State area’s most explosive hitters and a phenomenal athlete: She won state outdoor track titles in the high jump, long jump and triple jump in May. An All-County First Team pick a year ago, she’s being recruited by Connecticut.

Callan Spicher, St. James — An All-County First Team selection a year ago, Spicher averaged 2.70 kills per game and proved she’s not a one-dimensional hitter with her 3.30 digs per game.

Danielle DuBois, Broadfording — One of the area’s premier defensive players, DuBois earned All-County First Team honors a year ago as her hustle helped the Lions win MDCC and MCST tournament titles.

Alison Griffith, Boonsboro — As a sophomore a year ago, she came out of nowhere to become one of the Warriors’ top hitting threats with her 2.31 kills per game, earning All-County Second Team honors.

Amanda Jenkins, Clear Spring — She earned All-County Second Team honors last year after averaging 2.38 kills and smacking 52 aces.

Colleen Black, Smithsburg — One of the county’s premier middle hitters, she averaged 2.74 kills and 0.83 blocks last year as a sophomore en route to All-County Second Team honors.

Lindsay Lacy, Clear Spring — An All-County Second Team pick last year, she led the Blazers with 2.63 kills per game.

Rebecca Pearl, South Hagerstown — She averaged 1.71 kills and 0.79 blocks per game for the Rebels last year to earn All-County Second team honors.

Mollie Kieffer, Smithsburg — She earned All-County Second Team honors last year because of her defense, as she averaged 2.98 digs.

Emily Pinkham, Clear Spring — The Blazers’ middle hitter earned All-MVAL Antietam first-team honors after averaging 1.54 kills and 0.92 blocks.