There are a lot of super skilled players in a 190-team girls’ volleyball field across five divisions, but the coaching battle promises intrigue too as the MIAA tournaments get started on Thursday.
The annual question: Is this the year someone dethrones the Bay State Conference in Division 1? The BSC owns the past seven titles, but this year it’s Chelmsford as the No. 1 seed. The Lions completed their first undefeated regular season since 1989 and are looking for their first championship since 1986. It’s been an inspired season, in which Edgar Valdez won the Merrimack Valley Coach of the Year award in the first year it is named after his former coach, Tony Hajjar.
No. 7 Winchester is another non-BSC challenger; John Fleming’s Red & Black have dominated the Middlesex League. The team reached the state final in 2019, and has a win this year over Brookline to prove its legitimacy, its only loss was to No. 2 Newton North.
As for the BSC hopefuls, Nile Fox is 19-1 in the playoffs as Newton North coach, looking for a four-peat this tournament. His second-seeded Tigers have not missed the final in four years. Caitlin Sobolewski led Brookline to the final for the first time in almost half a century last year and returns as the No. 8 seed, and, of course, Courtney Todesco is a two-time champion with Needham (2019, 2021) and earned the No. 10 seed.
In Division 2, undefeated No. 1 Oliver Ames and No. 2 Duxbury are at the top. The Hockomock League, which also has King Philip at 5, has been represented in the past three D2 finals, losing each to Westborough. Those Rangers are up to D1 this season, so there will be a new champion.
Division 3 defending champion Medfield slipped recently to No. 2 in the power rankings, losing to D3 rivals Weston (No. 9) and Bellingham (No. 1). Last year, however, coach Arthur Felicio switched up his lineup and it worked perfectly.
Another defending champion which changed divisions is Bourne, now the top seed in D4. The Canalwomen have put together a great season, but dropped a five-setter to East Bridgewater, which comes in at No. 2.
In Division 5, Hopedale takes the top spot with a strong record and strength of schedule, taking it over Madison Park, which is undefeated (17-0) but had lower-rated opponents.
All games will be at the home site of the higher seed through the Round of 8. The MIAA will provide neutral sites for semifinals and finals, as defined by TMC Site Policy.
State championship games are tentatively scheduled for Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15.
AJ Traub can be reached at aj.traub@globe.com. Follow him on X @aj_traub and Instagram @ajt37.