Today
Class 2A: No. 1 Towson (18-0) vs. No. 2 Glenelg (19-0)
Site: CCBC-Catonsville
Time: Noon
Outlook: This is the showdown both teams have aimed for all season. Towson is looking for its second straight state crown after sweeping the Gladiators in last year's final. Glenelg, which won its first Howard County title this season, has been building toward the rematch ever since. With five starters back from last year's team, the Gladiators want to get revenge in what could be a battle of strong middle hitters. Towson, the two-time Baltimore County champion, boasts 5-foot-10 All-Metro performer Stephanie Kines (3.11 kills per game) and 6-1 Emily Berman (3.25), while the Gladiators counter with 6-1 All-Metro second-teamer Sarah Tursell (2.96) and 6-1 Adrienne McGill (1.43). Glenelg has an edge at setter, where Tara Stradling (7.4 assists per game) is one of the area's best, and has stronger threats on the outside. Still, the Generals defeated the teams' only common opponent, Calvert, to win the prestigious Bulldog Tournament, after Calvert had beaten the Gladiators in the semifinal.
Class 4A: No. 15 Perry Hall (16-2) vs. No. 6 Broadneck (15-3)
Site: CCBC-Catonsville
Time: 5 p.m.
Outlook: Broadneck can join Severna Park as the only Anne Arundel County teams to win back-to-back state volleyball titles. Severna Park did it from 1991-93, and Broadneck is looking to repeat while playing in its third straight final. Perry Hall is playing in its first state final after defeating Bowie (12-5) of Prince George's County, 3-1, on Tuesday in the semifinals. The Gators are led by outside hitter Abbey Petrecca. Broadneck has won four straight postseason matches by either 3-1 or 3-0. The Bruins are coming off a 3-0 victory over Gaithersburg in the state semifinals on Tuesday. Cristen Van Dyke, a 6-foot-2 middle hitter, dominates and defensive specialist Melissa Golob is all over the court. Senior setter Hallie Fuller, an All-Metro performer as a junior, missed several games with an injury, but has come back strong to lead her team in the playoffs.
Class 3A: No. 4 Mount Hebron (16-3) vs. Patuxent (16-1)
Site: CCBC-Catonsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: The state finals are the destination for Mount Hebron, which has revived its program under first-year coach Michael Moynihan after a 3-12 record in 2001. In Patuxent, the No. 3-ranked team in the Washington area, the Vikings face a daunting task. The Seahawks, who beat Mount Hebron in the Bulldog Tournament earlier this season are in the finals for the first time in their five-year history. Patuxent is led by 6-foot-2 Charese Baldwin (4.1 kills per game, 2.2 blocks), 6-2 Candi Claggett (2.9, 1.4) and setter Katy Zimmerman (6.9 assists). The Vikings will try to neutralize the Seahawks' height advantage with 5-10 Connie Pikounis (3.0) and 6-0 Irene Enweze, who will see an expanded role. However, for the Vikings - winners of four state titles (the last being in 1995) - upset hopes hinge on serving aggressively and playing great defense, two areas where setter Stacey Carroll (6.4 assists) and Audrey Damrongsri (4.5 digs) stand out.