Reservoir goes for No. 1

Winners of this year?s Howard County title, Reservoir (19-1) has relied on consistent play from senior Jamie Thomas. Posting 17 kills against Liberty, Thomas was a force as the Gators rallied to take the last three games and win the match, 3-1. Setter Jamie Huffman has also been solid during the entire playoffs. In the state semifinals against Liberty, she notched a game-high 33 assists. For the Gators, it was sweet revenge on the team that knocked them out of the 2004 playoffs.

Reservoir, which has dropped just two sets in the playoffs, is facing a powerful team in North East. The Indians own eight state titles but have not reached the state final since 2001.

In Saturday?s 3A final at Ritchie, Centennial (16-1), which owns more state titles than any other Maryland school, will try to win its 13th overall and third in a row. The Eagles knocked out Catonsville in an epic five-game set. They face Huntingtown Saturday.

Tehya Mockapetris, who has been one of the team leaders in kills all season, had a great match. Terrific serving has also been a calling card of the Eagles, as Liana Farb and Julia Bostrom continually put the ball in play.

Huntingtown (18-0) is the team Centennial defeated in last year?s championship match. With revenge on their minds, an up-and-coming Hurricanes squad will have to bring its best effort against the Eagles? balanced offensive attack.

VOLLEYBALL STATE FINALS

(All games Saturday at the University of Maryland?s Ritchie Coliseum)

CLASS 2A

Reservoir (19-1) vs. North East-Cecil (17-2), noon

CLASS 3A

Centennial (16-1) vs. Huntingtown (18-0), 2:30 p.m.

CLASS 1A

Rising Sun (15-3) vs. Southern Garrett (18-0), 5 p.m.

CLASS 4A

Sherwood (17-1) vs. Damascus (16-2), 7:30 p.m.