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Clear Spring's 1A state volleyball title a moment of triumph in a season of tragedy

daniel kauffman, the herald-mail
·4 min read
Clear Spring volleyball coach Jessica Custer carries the Maryland Class 1A state volleyball championship trophy to the players after they swept South Carroll at Harford Community College.
Clear Spring volleyball coach Jessica Custer carries the Maryland Class 1A state volleyball championship trophy to the players after they swept South Carroll at Harford Community College.

BEL AIR, Md. — In the midst of its biggest triumph Wednesday, the thoughts of the Clear Spring volleyball team remained on the tragic events of three months ago.

The deaths of Blazers athletes Tyler Josenhans, Kannon Shives and Clayton Knode in a car accident in August are still fresh in the minds and on the hearts of all in the community.

That was made obvious by the tears of coach Jess Custer, seniors Audrey Allen, Hailey Ernst, Morgan Householder and Faith Moore, and sophomore Addy Zeigler in a press conference following Clear Spring's 25-15, 25-15, 25-16 victory over South Carroll in the Maryland Class 1A championship game at Harford Community College.

"We needed this. Our community needed this. We needed it as a team. They needed it as individuals," said Custer. "They have persevered more than any group of kids I have ever had to coach. They deserve it more than anybody.

"This is the first that I've seen them let (the emotion) out. To be as mentally tough as they are, I admire them because at 17 years old, I don't know that I would have had it in me. I admire their strength, I'm proud of their leadership and I'm proud of them."

Clear Spring's Hailey Ernst makes a dig against South Carroll in the second set of the Maryland Class 1A state volleyball championship game.
Clear Spring's Hailey Ernst makes a dig against South Carroll in the second set of the Maryland Class 1A state volleyball championship game.

Josenhans' younger sister, Bryanna, is a sophomore on the team.

"If (Tyler, Kannon and Clayton) were here right now, they would be just as passionate (as we are)," said sophomore Addy Zeigler. "Every game I've played this season was for them. I gave it my all because I know that they would want me to give that performance."

"We know that they would have been cheering in the student section in the first row," said Ernst.

The Blazers (18-2) gave their fans plenty to cheer during the title game as they claimed the fourth championship in program history, and first since 2018. It was the 38th state title in Washington County Public Schools volleyball history (North Hagerstown made it 39 two hours later), and gave the county its 30th Class 1A crown in the last 41 seasons in which a state tournament was played.

Clear Spring's Faith Moore puts up a block over South Carroll's Abby Kennedy in Set 2 of the Maryland Class 1A state championship game.
Clear Spring's Faith Moore puts up a block over South Carroll's Abby Kennedy in Set 2 of the Maryland Class 1A state championship game.

Stars of the match

• Faith Moore — She set the tone from the first set, when she had three kills and two aces. She finished the match with eight kills, five blocks, four aces and five digs.

"It's my last game so it's emotional," the senior said. "I wanted to go out with a bang. That's probably the last time I'll step on the court and play."

• Addy Zeigler — The hard-hitting left-hander finished with a match-high 12 kills and added a pair of aces.

• Ella Papa — The sophomore started the match hot with five kills in the opening set, and finished with nine kills.

• Morgan Householder — The team leader in kills for the season had seven kills and two blocks in her high school finale.

• Audrey Allen — She closed her prep career with seven kills, two blocks and two aces.

• Hailey Ernst — The setter had no shortage of options to go to, and fed them all. She finished with 36 assists and six digs.

• Lizzie Lawson — The junior led the Blazers in digs with 10.

Clear Spring's Addy Zeigler celebrates a point during the third set of the Maryland Class 1A state volleyball championship game. The Blazers swept South Carroll for the title.
Clear Spring's Addy Zeigler celebrates a point during the third set of the Maryland Class 1A state volleyball championship game. The Blazers swept South Carroll for the title.

Firing from all angles

The Blazers used their depth to overwhelm the Cavaliers (14-5). Clear Spring finished the match with 43 kills on a superb .315 hitting efficiency.

"I can look around and I know every single person on the court wants it as badly as I do," said Ernst. "I never have to worry about who I'm giving the ball to because I know they're going to get the job done the same way someone else will."

"This has been one of the most fun seasons for me because we get to do a lot of fun things because we have a lot of tools to use," Custer said. "It's been really fun to watch them grow from little babies in middle school to seniors playing their last game."

Teamwork makes the dream work

Ten players saw action in the championship game for the Blazers. In addition to those listed above, libero Emerson Moats had eight digs, Callie Hose had five digs and three aces, and Dana Hammond added three digs.

"There have been several playoff matches where we've been able to rotate in players and I don't for a second doubt it or blink or even question it," Custer said. "They go in and do their jobs. Everybody knows their role and they do it as best they can."

"We win and lose as a team," Moore said. "We have such a good bond, it's so easy to rely on each other. We know if we all do our job, it will all work out."

And it did, with a state championship trophy to take back to Clear Spring.

"I can't reiterate enough how proud I am of them — of their character, of their skill, of them as people," Custer said.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Clear Spring sweeps South Carroll for Class 1A volleyball title