Bishop Guertin's Caitlin Harrington looks to make the most o her senior year for the Cards. Harrington was the Telegraph POY in 2025. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

There’s always a local high school volleyball team or two that will make a push to get to a final.

The area was spoiled with Hollis Brookline’s dynasty, Nashua South’s unbeaten title seven years ago, all before the Bedford Division I dynasty was born.

Bishop Guertin two years ago almost knocked off the Bulldogs, who fell back to earth last year after five straight titles, and Nashua North made the semis a year ago.

Milford made the finals in 2024 and the semis in 2025 in Division II, and Souhegan has been a contender as well.

This year? It’s wide open for the locals, but there’s a slight change as Hollis Brookline, seeing the numbers, didn’t petition up to Division I as it usually does and will now play where it falls by enrollment, in Division II.

Here’s a look:

DIVISION I

Bishop Guertin is hoping to make improvement over last season, in which they won xx matches but fell short in the quarterfinals after reaching the Final Four the previous year.

And they’ve still got Telegraph Player of the Year Caitlin Harrington, who is outstanding on offense but also does a lot of the little things that helped BG last year.

Other key players are Claudia Daniel, Alissa Maillet, Ava Steinger and Kate Maher.

“Our expectations for this year is to always be over-prepared for our next game, and continue the tone and momentum we created last year,” Cards second-year head coach Matt Erb said.

Ahhh, but the Titans, who square off against the Cards tonight in what could be an epic opener, have a lot o momentum from making the semis last year, led by senior right side hitter Ruby Zeman, senior middle hitter Hannah Perez, junior libero Patricia So (“A defensive menace” Desfosses says), junior hitter Logan Sartor,junior hitter Amelia Hebert, junior hitter Gianna Rooney, junior setter Brigette Bennet for upperclassmen.

But there’s youth, too – sophomore libero/hitter Laura Ducharme and Gizele Ducharme, plus sophomore hitter Ava Durden and freshman setter Whitney Kobisky.

“Great drive and heart on this team,” Desfosses said. “A true system.”

Nashua South had a lot of growing pains last year and coach Tom Langer is hoping that this year experience will be a key. The Panthers have some talented juniors in outside hitter Riley Britton, libero Briley Landsteiner, middle hitter Joelle Primo and setter Lexi McGuire. All gained valuable experience last year. Keep an eye too on sophomore setter Emery Smith.

“The girls and I are very excited about this upcoming season,” Langer said. “The youth that we had last year has grown and matured. So, I think we’re going to have a good, solid season.”

The Broncos of Alvirne were most improved a year ago at 8-10 after a tough 0-18 2024. Key players back include All-State setter Mena Lewis, senior libero Sammie Schiller and senior outside hitter Ava Ellis. Also watch out for seniors Hailee Lane and Kya Maben on the outside, and setter Meredith Pomerleau.

Newbies Molly Branco (junior) and sophomore Leah Lussier will help as well. Lane could hit the 500 career kill list, while Lewis could meet milestones in assists, digs and aces.

“I’m cautiously optimistic about our team this season,” Division I and Telegraph Co-Coach of the Year Jason Lewis said. “We return five key starters from last year, all of whom ae now seniors, so experience should be one of our biggest strengths.”

Merrimack, after a great 2024, had a lot of inexperience last year and the ‘Haws hope to bounce back led by key seniors Lucy Althouse, right setter, and Mia Cruz (libero).

“We’re focusing on getting better every day for sure,” Merrimack coach Tammy Lambrou said.

DIVISION II

Welcome, Hollis Brookline. The Cavs have a standout in hitter Nicole Kosakowski, who is one of 2800 players out of a possible 500,000 around the country on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Watch List. “She is one of those elite athletes,” HB coach Becky Balfour said.

The Cavs also have two veteran middle hitters returning in seniors Hailey Klaassens and Sam Burke, plus two returning setters in senior Max Walsh and junior Harper Sarris. So there’s experience.

“The team is made up of veteran returnees with some talented newcomers in the mix,” Balfour said, “which will make for a solid season.”

Campbell has been competitive just about every fall and this year should be no exception led by senior setter Ava Grant, senior outside hitters Mikayla Swanson and Izzy LaRosa.

The Cougars hope to rely on aggressive serving and strong defense, according to head coach Robin Bostic.

“Our goal is to continuing improving throughout the season and put ourselves in position to compete with the top teams in Division II,” Boston said. “We’re excited about this group and the opportunity ahead of us.”

Milford has a new coach in Paula Salemi , an experienced coach from the region’s volleyball community, but it is the Spartans third coach in three years.

Souhegan will look to get back to the semis, where the Sabers were a couple years ago.