Abington Heights is looking to recapture the excitement of a championship run as the high school boys volleyball league season is ready to open.

The Comets went undefeated in the Lackawanna League last season and defeated Delaware Valley in the District 2 Class 3A final before winning a PIAA first-round match.

Abington Heights has a new coach in Jesse Edwards, but returns a veteran lineup, and earned the role of preseason favorite. Valley View, Blue Ridge and Western Wayne are expected to contend.

Abington Heights won the Lackawanna League and the District 2 Class 3A titles last season. Ryan Horutz was an All-Region setter for the Comets and earned first-team all-star honors. He had 596 assists, 31 aces, 31 blocks, and 110 digs.

Nolan Moore, Dan Beck and Chris Cummins, a second-team all-star, are also back for the Comets. Moore had 137 kills and Beck had 94. Cummins had 220 digs, while Chase Beerman had 89 digs.

Edwards replaces Jamie Spangler, a four-time Times-Tribune Coach of the Year, as head coach. The Comets also have to replace Times-Tribune Player of the Year Shawn Theodore and Lackawanna League Player of the Year Shane Brower.

“We are a really high-serving team, and we have a good defense,” Horutz said. “We have to back things up with our blocking and developing our offense. The Lackawanna League will be competitive. It will be a fun conference and much different from last year.

“Coming off last year, we lost Shane and Shawn, who were two heavy hitters. Dan is really picking things up. Nolan is filling some shoes. Ben Reese and Gavin Corwin, Chris, these guys are back. I have to be the quarterback, play my position, and give the guys hittable balls.”

Valley View returns four starters from a team that reached the District 2 Class 2A quarterfinals. Luke Stevens was an All-Region selection after leading the Cougars with 145 kills, 46 blocks, and 44 aces.

Antonio Farina was a second-team league all-star; Jesus Isidro and Jagger Roe were honorable mention all-stars.

Blue Ridge lost in the D2 Class 2A quarterfinals to Berwick last season. Bryce Conklin was a second-team league all-star after having 348 digs. Riley Phillips is a returning honorable mention all-star. He had 420 assists and 111 digs. Parker Glasgow led the Raiders with 167 kills.

Western Wayne reached the District 2 Class 2A semifinals last season. Logan Pauler was an honorable mention all-star and had 48 kills and 75 digs. Braden Laity finished third on the team with 52 kills last season.

Scranton and West Scranton are looking to have an impact on the league race after competing in the District 2 Class 3A playoffs in 2025.

Scranton returns three starters, including Jayden Tulenan, Ikbol Nadir, and Keith Prayitno.

West Scranton also has three starters back in Emilio Moya, Jonathan Morales and Elias Rios.

North Pocono has two second-team all-stars returning in Aden Butler and Jace Butler.

Meanwhile, Delaware Valley returns three starters and is among the teams to watch in the Wyoming Valley Conference race.

Setter Eric Choi, who had more than 300 assists, Grant Nielsen, and Chase Peereboom are all back after helping the Warriors to a 9-1 record in the WVC and a runner-up finish in District 2 Class 3A.

DATES TO REMEMBER

March 24, Scranton at West Scranton: The rivals meet to open the Lackawanna League matches. Last season, West Scranton swept the Knights, 3-0.

March 26, Abington Heights at Blue Ridge: Last season, the Comets rolled to a 3-0 win and took the first step in dethroning the reigning league champions. Shawn Theodore had 12 kills, while Shane Brower and Nolan Moore each had 10.

April 2, Valley View at Blue Ridge: Both teams have enough experience to push Abington Heights to the limit. In last season’s meeting, Jacek Motyka and Jacob each had six kills, and Parker Glasgow had five in a 3-0 win over the Cougars.

April 23, Delaware Valley at Holy Redeemer: Two teams that seem to battle every spring for the WVC crown. Holy Redeemer swept the Warriors, 3-0, handing them their only loss in the conference. Delaware Valley had won the previous two meetings against the Royals in 2023 and 2024.

April 28, Valley View at Abington Heights: Two experienced teams clash to finish the Lackawanna League regular season. Valley View and the Comets were tied at 1 in last year’s match. Abington Heights won the next two sets to go undefeated in the league. Shawn Theodore had 17 kills, and Dan Beck and Shane Brower each had 11 for Abington Heights.