We’re still recovering from witnessing history at MARS Badminton, where Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo etched their names into the record books with a second victory at the iconic 5*. Not only did they join the elite ranks of two-time Badminton winners, but they also became the first pair ever to win on the same […]
We’re still recovering from witnessing history at MARS Badminton, where Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo etched their names into the record books with a second victory at the iconic 5*. Not only did they join the elite ranks of two-time Badminton winners, but they also became the first pair ever to win on the same horse in non-consecutive years. The last rider to take home two Badminton titles? That would be Rolex Grand Slam legend Pippa Funnell with Supreme Rock, who won back-to-back in 2002 and 2003. Pretty good company, we’d say. Thanks to EquiRatings for the fun facts from the numbers!
To catch up EN’s coverage of MARS Badminton, click here.
The FEI has taken a major step to boost equestrian sport in China, signing landmark Memoranda of Understanding with two of the country’s top media organizations — Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group (CMG). These agreements aim to elevate coverage and visibility of equestrian sport in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, with a focus on Chinese athletes’ journeys to major events like the 2026 World Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games. As part of the MoUs, Chinese fans can expect expanded reporting, live broadcasts, and storytelling across key FEI competitions — all part of a growing investment in the sport’s future in China. Read more on this new partnership here.
Air vests have become a near-standard in eventing, but their use is steadily expanding across other equestrian disciplines — and that trend took center stage at the recent 2025 FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne. The Chronicle of the Horse columnist and legal expert Armand Leone praised the creation of a new working group tasked with evaluating the safety and future of equestrian body protectors and air vests, which, while widely adopted in eventing, are still underutilized in rings like hunters and equitation. Armand also backed the idea of broader equine welfare education, echoing calls for mandatory training to support the FEI’s new 37-part Equine Welfare Action Plan in this opinion piece.
How often do you actually weigh your horse’s feed, or test your hay? Equine nutritionist Madeline Boast shared four of the most common but often-overlooked feeding mistakes horse owners make, from underfeeding commercial feeds and skipping salt, to ignoring the caloric content of hay or switching forages too abruptly. With hay making up the bulk of most horses’ diets, even small changes can have a big impact. Her advice? Pay attention to feed rates, add daily loose salt, and transition new hay gradually to help prevent GI upset. A little planning can go a long way in keeping your horse healthy. Read more here.
Sponsor Shout-Out: Fly Season Mythbusters with EcoVet
Welcome to Fly Season Mythbusters, a new series brought to you by EcoVet, the fly spray that works smarter—not harder.
On Mondays in our News & Notes over the next few weeks, we’ll tackle a common misconception about fly control and help you spend less time spraying and more time riding.
Myth #1: “More Spray = Better Protection”
Think dousing your horse in fly spray will keep the bugs off? Not quite. It’s not about how much you use—it’s about what’s in it.
EcoVet’s formula creates a protective “zone of repellency” using food-grade fatty acids, confusing insects and stopping them from landing in the first place. It’s effective, long-lasting, and best of all—less messy for you and your horse.
Stay tuned for more myths busted this fly season. To learn more about EcoVet’s fly solutions, click here.
Video Break
In honor of Ros Canter’s second Badminton victory with Lordships Grafflo, take a gallop down memory lane and relive her 2023 Badminton cross country round:
Several Student-Athletes to Represent Empire 8 at 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Men’s Outdoor Track and Field | 5/17/2025 8:25:08 AM
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2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships Live Results
2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Live Video
The 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor […]
Men’s Outdoor Track and Field | 5/17/2025 8:25:08 AM
The 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships qualifiers were announced on Friday, May 16 with a total of 29 student-athletes from the Empire 8 Conference qualifying to compete for national titles. The three-day meet will run from Thursday, May 22 to Saturday, May 24 at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, OH. Live video of the meet will be available at NCAA.com.
A total of five Empire 8 institutions have at least one student-athlete who qualified and are entered in the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Empire 8 Champion SUNY Geneseo has a total of 21 student-athletes competing. SUNY Brockport has four student-athletes competing, St. John Fisher University has a pair of student-athletes in competition, while Nazareth University and Houghton University each have one student-athlete competing.
There are 17 E8 women’s student-athletes competing in a combined 15 different events (13 individual and two relays). SUNY Brockport senior Rebecca Heuler is the defending national champion in the javelin, while Penelope Greene is a returning All-American in both the 5,000- and 10,000-meters. Brynn Mooney of Geneseo, who won the indoor 400-meter national title, is competing in four separate events (200-meters, 400-meters, 4 x 100-meter relay and 4 x 400-meter relay), while teammate Jillian Ambler of SUNY Geneseo is competing in three separate events (100-meter hurdles, long jump and 4 x 100-meter relay).
On the men’s side, 12 different student-athletes are competing in nine events (eight individual and one relay). Jacob Miller of SUNY Geneseo is set to compete in both the 400-meter dash and 4 x 400-meter relay, while teammate Ryan Hagan will compete in the 1,500- and 5,000-meters and fellow Geneseo standout Charlie Wilson is competing in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races.
For each men’s individual event contested, including the decathlon, the top 22 declared student-athletes were accepted into the championships. For each women’s individual event contested, including the heptathlon, the top 22 declared student-athletes were accepted into the championships. For each relay event contested, the top 16 declared relay teams, one per institution, were accepted into the championships.
Below is a complete list of the Empire 8 student-athletes who received a bid to the NCAA Championship with their national rank and their seed time/mark.
WOMEN
200-Meter Dash (Prelims, Thursday, May 22, 6:55 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 3:50 p.m.)
17. Brynn Mooney, So., SUNY Geneseo – :24.20
400-Meter Dash (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 3:15 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2:20 p.m.)
6. Brynn Mooney, So., SUNY Geneseo – :54.45
800-Meter Run (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 4:15 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 3:00 p.m.)
12. Sierra Doody, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – 2:08.09
14. Janelle Eckl, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 2:08.89
5,000-Meter Run (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4:25 p.m.)
400-Meter Dash (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 3 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2:10 p.m.)
17. Jacob Miller, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – :47.17
800-Meter Run (Prelims, Friday, May 23, 4 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 2:50 p.m.)
14. Matthew Sheehan, Sr., SUNY Geneseo – 1:50.22
1,500-Meter Run (Prelims, Friday, May 22, 5:35 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 1:25 p.m.)
11. Jonathan Zavala, Sr., SUNY Brockport – 3:46.96
12. Ryan Hagan, So., SUNY Geneseo – 3:47.14
5,000-Meter Run (Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4 p.m.)
6. Ryan Hagan, So., SUNY Geneseo – 14:04.11
12. Charlie Wilson, Gr., SUNY Geneseo – 14:08.50
10,000-Meter Run (Finals, Thursday, May 22, 8:30 p.m.)
13. Charlie Wilson, Gr., SUNY Geneseo – 29:40.95
400-Meter Hurdles (Prelims, Thursday, May 22, 6:10 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 3:15 p.m.)
16. Ayden Grinion, Jr., SUNY Brockport – :52.62
3,000-Meter Steeplechase (Prelims, Thursday, May 22, 7:10 p.m.; Finals, Friday, May 23, 4:40 p.m.)
3. Pierce Young, So., SUNY Geneseo – 8:50.73
12. Emerson Comer, So., SUNY Geneseo – 8:54.32
4 x 400-Meter Relay (Prelims, Thursday, May 22, 8 p.m.; Finals, Saturday, May 24, 4:50 p.m.)
3. Arjun Ohja, Fr, Sam Belmont, So., Giancarlo Di Fava, So., Jacob Miller, Jr., SUNY Geneseo – 3:09.30
Hammer Throw (Prelims and Finals, Saturday, May 24, 1:45 p.m.)
9. Brandon Kaplan, Jr., St. John Fisher – 60.87 meters
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.
Chanticleers Post Second Highest Spring GPA on Record
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CONWAY, S.C. —- Coastal Carolina Athletics posted the second-highest spring departmental GPA at 3.40, the department announced Friday. 18 of 19 programs earned over a 3.0 during the spring semester. This accomplishment marks 22-straight semesters of a 3.0 or better departmental GPA. “I am proud of the commitment our student-athletes continue […]
CONWAY, S.C. —- Coastal Carolina Athletics posted the second-highest spring departmental GPA at 3.40, the department announced Friday.
18 of 19 programs earned over a 3.0 during the spring semester.
This accomplishment marks 22-straight semesters of a 3.0 or better departmental GPA.
“I am proud of the commitment our student-athletes continue to show in the classroom,” said Coastal Carolina Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation Chance Miller. “Posting a 3.40 departmental GPA—our second-highest ever—and seeing 18 of 19 programs eclipse the 3.0 mark this spring is a true testament to their dedication, discipline, and the culture here at Coastal Carolina. This also marks our 22nd consecutive semester with a departmental GPA above 3.0, a remarkable streak that reflects the consistent standard of excellence upheld by our programs. I want to extend a special thank you to our Student-Athlete Academic Services team for their tireless support and leadership. This is a shared achievement, and one that continues to define what it means to be a Chanticleer.”
A DEEPER DIVE
137 student-athletes made the Dean’s List
75 student-athletes made the President’s List
385 student-athletes made Chauncey’s Honor Roll (3.0+ semester GPA)
107 student-athletes are Elite Chants (4.0 semester GPA)
This was the highest Spring GPA on record, outside of Spring 2020 (COVID semester).
Baseball set a semester GPA record, highest of all time including COVID semester (3.557).
Football earned it’s highest GPA on record, outside of Spring 2020 (COVID semester) (3.071).
Lacrosse earned it’s highest GPA on record, outside of Spring 2020 (COVID semester) (3.629).
Women’s Cross Country tied its highest GPA in program history (3.719).
Softball earned it’s highest GPA on record, outside of Spring 2020 (COVID semester) (3.670).
Volleyball earned it’s highest GPA on record, outside of Spring 2020 (COVID semester) (3.634).
Beach Volleyball earned it’s second highest GPA on record (3.824).
Women’s Golf had it’s highest Spring semester GPA ever (3.875).
Santa Barbara Boys Volleyball Peaks at Right Time, Plays for CIF Title Against Sage Hill | Sports
It was an up-and-down regular season for the Santa Barbara High boys volleyball team. But timing is everything in sports, and the Dons found their groove at the right time, elevating their game to a championship level for the postseason. After losing two of their last three matches to end the regular campaign, they’ve stepped […]
It was an up-and-down regular season for the Santa Barbara High boys volleyball team.
But timing is everything in sports, and the Dons found their groove at the right time, elevating their game to a championship level for the postseason. After losing two of their last three matches to end the regular campaign, they’ve stepped up and reeled off four playoff wins to reach a CIF-Southern Section division final for the 10th time in program history.
Santa Barbara (18-10) faces Newport Beach-Sage Hill (17-10) for the Division 4 title on Saturday at 1 p.m. at J.R. Richards Gym.
Santa Barbara is seeking its fourth CIF-SS championship (previous titles in 2021, 1992, 1978). In 2021, the Dons played at home and won a five-set epic against Huntington Beach for the Division 2 title.
Sage Hill is going for a second straight crown. The private school won the Division 5 title last year, their first-ever CIF championship in boys volleyball.
The Lightning are led by 6-foot-10 senior outside hitter Jackson Cryst, who has committed to newly crowned NCAA champion Long Beach State. He had a monster match in last year’s final, racking up 54 kills in a five-set win over San Marino; he was named as the Division 5 Player of the Year. The team also returns All-CIF players Connor Gapp (a setter this season after playing opposite last year) and outside hitter Dylan Han.
Senior Chase Holdren runs the Santa Barbara attack. (Peter Young / Noozhawk file photo)
Santa Barbara went through lapses of out-of-sync play during big matches this season. In the crosstown battles against Dos Pueblos and San Marcos, the Dons went 1-3, losing both meetings against DP and falling to San Marcos at home, with a chance to earn a share of the Channel League title.
The defeat in the league finale was the pivotal moment of the turnaround. The Dons, who were ranked 68th in the final CIF-SS boys volleyball power ranking and placed in Division 4 for the playoffs (Sage Hill was 65th), finished the regular season with a non-league win at Santa Ynez before beating Elsinore, Santa Ana-Foothill, Sherman Oaks-Notre Dame and Corona-Santiago in their playoff run.
“I definitely think there’s a calmness throughout the matches now,” said Chad Arneson of his team’s play. “We’re all kind of trusting each other out there and realizing that, ‘Hey, it’s a team sport, and not one guy is going to (win the match).’ I think having that positive energy has helped the boys pick it up.”
Senior setter Chase Holdren credited a new-found energy for the team’s resurgence.
“Since the first round of CIF, we’ve, all been so much better,” he said. “All of our energy has been high, something clicked. We just have a lot more energy, and we’ve been great throughout CIF. Everyone’s been hitting well, passing, well, we’ve all just clicked.”
The play of senior outside hitter Benicio Duarte is a perfect example of the Dons’ upturn. He dealt with the loss of his grandfather and suffered a back injury during the season and it affected his play.
“It was a hard time for me, so I had to take a step back from volleyball and kind of just figure out some stuff,” said Duarte. “And now that I’m back, I think I’m a lot more open minded and ready to bring home the CIF championship.”
Duarte has been a force during the Dons’ run-up to the final. In a tense five-set win at Foothill in the second round, he had a huge night, blasting 17 kills, with sizzling .517 hitting percentage. He had a team-high 11 kills in a quarterfinal sweep of Notre Dame and put down 12 kills to share high honors with Luke Zuffelato in the semifinal victory at Santiago.
“It’s like a day and night difference. He’s flipped the coin and, yeah, it’s cool,” said Arneson. “I’m really proud of him, and I’m also just proud of the rest of the team. The kids have worked so hard. It’s great to see, Benicio and Chase do so well but, overall, it’s been all the players on the team too.”
Holdren, who also played a stellar match at Foothill (59 assists, 11 digs, three kills and a key block) is pumped to see Duarte burying balls on a consistent bases.
“It gives me another good option,” he said. “I mean, we had a lot of injuries throughout the middle of the season. I feel like now everyone’s back. We got a very talented six guys out there on the court, and we have very good hitting options. Everyone’s a weapon, so having Benny is just another great weapon.”
Chase Holdren and Benicio Duarte are part of Santa Barbara’s rich volleyball history. Chase’s father, Clay, played middle blocker on San Marcos’ first CIF championship team in 1991. Benicio’s dad, Marcelo, was an All-CIF player at Santa Barbara High in 1989 and later played on the AVP pro beach volleyball tour.
Asked about the reaction of their fathers on playing for a CIF championship, Chase Holdren said: “He told me it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get out there. ‘The lights are bright, but you gotta just take advantage of it and you want to go win it.’”
Making the CIF final was like a blessing for the Duarte family. Benicio said his father “was really excited, especially because my grandfather just passed away, and we were all dealing with that. He always watched me play volleyball, so he always wanted to see me do that, he always wanted to see me go to a CIF final.
“So, I feel like I’ve just gotta make it happen…gotta win it.”
One-two-three, Dons! The Santa Barbara High boys volleybal teaml is hosting Sage Hill of Newport Beach in the CIF-SS Division 4 championship match on Saturday at J.R. Richards Gym. The match starts at 1 p.m. (Lily Chubb / Noozhawk file photo)
Arneson, who will be coaching in his fifth CIF final for the Dons, called it a “special time,” seeing the sons of local volleyball fame play for a CIF title.
“That’s what’s so great about the volleyball culture in Santa Barbara, is having past players, and now dads, that have been such a huge part in the Santa Barbara volleyball community,” he said. “And, it’s an honor to be able to coach their sons, and the parents have been so great and supportive. It’s pretty special to see their sons do so well and have an opportunity to win a CIF title.
(Clay and Marcelo) were great players, they had that refuse-to-lose mentality. And, our boys, and their sons, are doing so well throughout these rounds of playoffs. There’s so much maturity and growth, and for myself, too. I always want to get better as a coach. I feel like I got these kids in the right mind frame and, and they rose to the occasion. So it’s really fun, and I’ve been enjoying this moment.”
Men’s Track and Field Betters 4×100 Outdoor School Record at Midwest Twilight Qualifier
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The Hope College men’s track and field team lowered the school record in the 4×100 relay at the Midwest Twilight Qualifier hosted by Augustana College (Illinois). Junior Nolan Sanders (Midland, Michigan / H.H. Dow), sophomore Dylan Terpstra (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville), senior Alex Daniels (Holland, Michigan / Holland) […]
The Hope College men’s track and field team lowered the school record in the 4×100 relay at the Midwest Twilight Qualifier hosted by Augustana College (Illinois).
Junior Nolan Sanders (Midland, Michigan / H.H. Dow), sophomore Dylan Terpstra (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville), senior Alex Daniels (Holland, Michigan / Holland) and junior Liam Danitz (West Branch, Michigan / Ogemaw Heights) clocked a time of 40.84 seconds on Wednesday.
The relay surpassed its previous Hope record of 41.27 while placing fourth.
The time is tied for the 29th fastest in the nation this season.
The Flying Dutchmen recorded three more Top 10 performances at the meet that was held on Wednesday and Thursday.
In the 400 hurdles, freshman Kevin Barifagok (Las Vegas, Nevada / Cristo Rey Saint Viator) clocked a season-best and fifth-place run of 52.90 seconds.
The time is the 27th fastest in the nation this season.
In the 800 meters, senior Lucas Guidone (Chicago, Illinois / Taft) took eighth with a run of 1:52.82.
In the 400 meters, Terpstra clocked a ninth-place time of 48.90 seconds.
Naperville Central boys water polo pulls away from Metea Valley in IHSA Sectional Quarterfinal win
It’s a Sectional Quarterfinal matchup at Naperville North as third-seeded Naperville Central boys water polo takes on sixth-seeded Metea Valley. The winner punches a ticket to the semifinal against Waubonsie Valley. This highlight is sponsored by BMO. Naperville Central boys water polo jumps out to a five-goal lead against Metea Valley Central already leads 1-0, but […]
It’s a Sectional Quarterfinal matchup at Naperville North as third-seeded Naperville Central boys water polo takes on sixth-seeded Metea Valley. The winner punches a ticket to the semifinal against Waubonsie Valley. This highlight is sponsored by BMO.
Naperville Central boys water polo jumps out to a five-goal lead against Metea Valley
Central already leads 1-0, but Metea’s Eli Peterson answers from the corner with a shot that finds the back of the net to tie the game at one.
Naperville Central looks to take the lead as James Behrend fires on goal, but his shot is denied by Mustang goalie Owen Bickner.
Both goalies continue to shine early, as Central’s Vinny Antonietti comes up with a big save on Jake MacLeod’s attempt.
A few minutes later, Braeden Piwowar capitalizes for Central with a strong shot into the net to give the Redhawks a 3-1 lead.
Metea answers back, as Colin Louden picks up the loose ball and sneaks it past Antonietti to cut into the deficit.
With just under four minutes left in the first, Behrend tries to score again, but Bickner makes another impressive stop to keep it a one-goal game.
Antonietti then finds Piwowar down the pool, who battles for possession and launches a powerful shot for a 4-2 Redhawks lead.
AJ Landorf adds to the momentum for Central, scoring again as the Redhawks end the first period with a commanding 7-2 lead.
Redhawks keep the attack going and lead the IHSA Boys Water Polo Quarterfinal 13-4 at the break
Central keeps the pressure on to start the second, with Behrend lofting a shot over Bickner’s head for another goal.
Metea looks for a response as Alex Bounds takes a shot, but Antonietti knocks it away. Bounds gets another chance moments later and scores with a low shot into the net.
Cullen Potter connects with Landorf, who scores again for Central to make it 10-3.
The scoring continues as Behrend finds space and fires a shot into the net for another Redhawk point.
With time winding down in the half, Elliot Skly goes over the top with a perfectly placed shot to close the second period. Central leads 13-4 at the break.
Behrend scores again, and the Redhawks move on to face Waubonsie Valley
Into the third, Behrend wastes no time, opening the half with another goal for Naperville Central.
Weston Schmitt finds Will Tucker, who buries the shot into the corner to continue the Redhawks’ scoring streak.
In the fourth quarter, Skly finds Wylie Mease on the right wing, and he places a shot into the far corner for a goal.
The Mustangs show some late fight as Louden unleashes a rocket from the wing for Metea’s final goal of the game.
But the night belongs to Naperville Central, who take the sectional quarterfinal 18-7 over Metea Valley. The Redhawks advance to the semifinals to face Waubonsie Valley.
For more prep sports highlights, visit the Naperville Sports Weekly page.
5 York-Adams boys’ volleyball teams make loaded district playoff field
The league will have three representatives in the District 3 Class 3A tournament, with two others in the 2A bracket. From debate to dialogue: In a contentious era, ‘Ethics Bowl’ offers students a gentler alternative In debate, the goal is to try and convince the judges that you’re right and your opponent is wrong. In […]
The league will have three representatives in the District 3 Class 3A tournament, with two others in the 2A bracket.
From debate to dialogue: In a contentious era, ‘Ethics Bowl’ offers students a gentler alternative
In debate, the goal is to try and convince the judges that you’re right and your opponent is wrong. In the National High School Ethics Bowl, there are no “gotcha” moments. (AP video: Allen G. Breed
Associated Press
Each week during the Pennsylvania high school boys’ volleyball season, a statewide panel of coaches ranks the top teams in both PIAA classifications. And each week, a new District 3 team seems to enter the fray.
Ten of the 20 ranked teams in the most recent Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association poll are in the district, including seven of the top 10 in Class 3A. Only two of those squads can walk away with district titles later this month, and state tournament berths will be scarce resources.
District 3 officially revealed its playoff brackets Friday, although most area teams concluded their regular seasons at least a week ago. A 16-team tournament in Class 3A and a 14-team draw in Class 2A will commence Tuesday, with quarterfinals Thursday. Semifinals and championship matches are set for May 27 and 29, respectively. Higher seeds will host all matches.
Only five York-Adams League teams made the cut, although several others just missed out. Regular-season league champion Central York is the No. 6 seed in Class 3A, while YAIAA tournament champion Northeastern is seeded 13th and Dallastown is 14th. York Suburban, meanwhile, finished No. 2 in the district’s Class 2A power rankings. York Catholic was a last-minute addition to the field.
Central York won the District 3-3A title a year ago, and the Panthers — ranked No. 5 in PIAA Class 3A — have the talent to make another deep run. So does ninth-ranked Northeastern, which is finally at full strength has swept Central twice in the last two weeks. But the competition is as stiff as ever.
Cumberland Valley is ranked first in the state, seeded first in the district and hasn’t dropped a set in official competition this season. Other PVCA-ranked teams in the D3-3A bracket include No. 2-seed Governor Mifflin (fourth), No. 3 Cedar Crest (seventh), No. 4 Warwick (eighth) and No. 7 Central Dauphin (10th). Additionally, No. 9-seed Hempfield and No. 11 Exeter Township have been ranked during multiple previous polls this season.
In Class 2A, No. 1-seed Manheim Central is ranked second in the state, while No. 2 York Suburban is ranked fourth. Manheim Central swept the Trojans in three close sets on May 5 in a potential district championship preview. Third-seeded Brandywine Heights joined the state rankings this week, slotting 10th.
Both tournaments expanded by two teams this spring, and the 3A bracket will now send a fifth team to states. The cutline wasn’t kind to local teams, though. York-Adams League semifinalist Red Lion and quarterfinalist New Oxford finished 17th and 19th, respectively, in the 3A power rankings, with Spring Grove 22nd behind the Mid-Penn’s Northern York. West York closed the year 15th in the 2A rankings, and York Catholic was 15th before the late disqualification of Trinity.
The surplus of top teams has produced marquee matchups even in the opening rounds. Here’s the path forward for all five remaining YAIAA programs.
(Editor’s note: All matches are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Listed team records include league tournament results.)
Class 3A (16 teams, 5 spots at states): Central York topped these power rankings for much of the season, but now the No. 6 Panthers (13-2) will have their hands full from the jump. They’ll take the court Tuesday against No. 11 Exeter Township (14-5), whose only losses have come to Cumberland Valley, Hempfield and Governor Mifflin (three times, including in Thursday’s Berks County final). Central York, led by all-state seniors John He and Lance Shaffer, was the PVCA’s top-ranked team in the preseason after going 20-1 with a state semifinal appearance in 2024.
In the same quadrant of the bracket, No. 14 Dallastown (12-5) is looking to pull a road upset of No. 3 Cedar Crest (18-2) on Tuesday. The Falcons ousted Manheim Central for the Lancaster-Lebanon League title on Thursday night. Dallastown won its lone district championship in 1990.
Northeastern’s visit to Warwick on Tuesday will be a top-10 matchup, per the PVCA poll, and the loser’s season will be over. The No. 13-seed Bobcats (14-3) have dealt with injuries throughout the spring, but senior outside hitter Koltrin Forry returned at the league tournament to give the attack another boost. The No. 4 Warriors (10-3) were the district runner-up to Central York last year. Either fifth-seeded Palmyra or No. 12 Red Land will await the winner in the quarterfinals.
Class 2A (14 teams, 3 spots): York Suburban and Manheim Central separated themselves from the pack this season, with the Barons locking up the top seed by beating the Trojans (14-3) late in the Spring. Manheim Central (17-1) was unbeaten before falling in four sets to Cedar Crest in Thursday’s L-L League final.
Suburban, which made a large leap this year after going one-and-done at districts as the 11th seed in 2024, will await the winner of No. 7-seed Berks Catholic and No. 10 Schuylkill Valley for its quarterfinal match Thursday.
No. 14 York Catholic (7-12) had been on the right side of the bubble before dropping five of its final six regular-season matches. But the Fighting Irish received a new lease on life with Trinity — who was eighth in the power rankings — falling out of the field. York Catholic will visit No. 3 Brandywine Heights (15-3) on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to face either No. 6 West Shore Christian or No. 11 New Covenant Christian.