LebCo Boys Volleyball Season Outlook: 2026

The 2026 Boys Volleyball season is underway, and Lebanon County’s teams each enter the spring with a different outlook. Cedar Crest and Palmyra are looking to build off strong 2025 campaigns, New Covenant returns an experienced group after a historic postseason step forward, Northern Lebanon hopes to build on its first District 3 win as an LL program, and Lebanon continues working to turn growing momentum into more success on the court. From proven returners to rising contributors stepping into larger roles, there are plenty of storylines to follow as the season gets started.

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Cedar Crest Falcons 

Lancaster-Lebanon League

Section 1

Head Coach: Monica Sheaffer – 7th season

Key Returners: Niko Kotay (Sr., MB), Matthew Spragg (Jr., L)

Rising Contributors: Troy Smith (So., OH), Tanner Showers (Jr., OH), Matthew Peelen (So., S), Wyatt Trombley (So., OPP)

2025 Record: 17-4, LL Section 1 Champions, District 3 Qualifier

Season Outlook

There is no question Cedar Crest has a lot to replace, but there is also no shortage of belief in what the next group can become. The Falcons are coming off a standout 2025 season in which they went 17-4, won the LL Section 1 title, and reached the District 3 postseason.

Last season marked a breakthrough for the program, but this year’s roster will have a very different feel. With all of last year’s starters gone, Cedar Crest enters the spring in transition, asking a new wave of players to take on much larger responsibilities.

Even with that turnover, the Falcons do have a pair of returning pieces to help anchor the lineup. Niko Kotay gives Cedar Crest experience in the middle, while Matthew Spragg is back at libero. Their presence should provide leadership and stability as the Falcons sort through a new-look rotation.

Much of Cedar Crest’s success may depend on how quickly its emerging contributors settle into their roles. Troy Smithand Tanner Showers are expected to help on the outside, Matthew Peelen is one to watch at setter, and Wyatt Trombleycould make an impact on the right side. The Falcons may not look the same as last year’s championship team, but the hope is that this group can grow into a competitive unit capable of chasing more postseason play.

Lebanon Cedars

LancasterLebanon League

Section 1

Head Coach: Edwin Montijo – 2nd season

Key Returners: Ledriel Velaquez-Bernard (Sr., OH/DS), Julian Padillas (Jr., MH), Maurice Williams (Sr., DS)

Rising Contributors: Yaheniel Hernandez-Falcon (Sr., S), Jaison Morales (Jr., OH), Abner Sanchez (Jr., MH), Jordan Perugorria (Jr., DS), William Padillas (Jr., DS), Chris Guzman (Sr., DS), Eury Filpo (So., serving specialist/front row), Hector Morrobel (Sr., serving specialist/front row), Ian Merisca (Sr., MH)

2025 Record: 3-14

Season Outlook

Lebanon may still be chasing a bigger breakthrough in the standings, but there are signs the program is trending in a positive direction. The Cedars finished 3-14 last season, yet the year also included offensive progress, more wins, and individual milestones that helped create momentum heading into 2026.

That momentum appears to have carried beyond the season. Several returning players continued working together in the offseason, building chemistry through extra practice, organized match play, and additional team development. For a team looking to become more complete, that kind of work could matter.

The Cedars bring back a few important pieces in Ledriel Velaquez-Bernard, Julian Padillas, and Maurice Williams. Velaquez-Bernard returns for his senior year already holding the school record for blocks, while Padillas is back in a starting role in the middle. Williams also looks ready for a larger role after logging significant minutes last season.

There are also several newcomers and rising contributors who could help Lebanon expand what it does on the floor. Yaheniel Hernandez-Falcon steps into the setter role, while Jaison Morales and Abner Sanchez give the Cedars added options in the attack. With depth from Jordan Perugorria, William Padillas, Chris Guzman, Eury Filpo, Hector Morrobel, and Ian Merisca, Lebanon hopes to improve not just offensively, but also in serving, transition play, and team defense. If that all comes together, the Cedars could be positioned to take another step as a program.

Northern Lebanon Vikings

Lancaster-Lebanon League

Section 3

Head Coach: Angie Peirce – 2nd season

Key Returners: Nathan Swank (Sr.), Peyton Ream (Jr.), Carlos Polanco (Jr.)

Rising Contributors: Demarco Kreiser (So.), Ayden Rodriguez (So.), Anthony Wise (So.), Justin Gonzalez-Luna (So.)

2025 Record: 11-11, District 3 Qualifier

Season Outlook

Northern Lebanon enters the new season with the benefit of knowing what it took to break through a year ago. In the program’s first season in the Lancaster-Lebanon League, the Vikings finished 11-11, qualified for District 3, hosted a playoff match, and came away with a first-round postseason win.

That experience helped raise expectations around the program, but this year’s group will need to balance those expectations with the reality of a younger roster. Northern Lebanon plans to lean on its returning varsity players to help guide that process and keep the team moving in the right direction.

Senior Nathan Swank and juniors Peyton Ream and Carlos Polanco give the Vikings a core of returning experience. Ream, in particular, has been a reliable outside presence as a six-rotation player since his freshman year, and that kind of all-around role should continue to be important for Northern Lebanon this spring.

The Vikings are also counting on several sophomores to grow into meaningful roles. Demarco Kreiser, Ayden Rodriguez, Anthony Wise, and Justin Gonzalez-Luna are all names to watch as Northern Lebanon looks to develop more depth around its veteran pieces. After establishing a new standard last year, the Vikings will try to show they can stay in the postseason mix and continue carving out a place for themselves in the LL.

New Covenant Flames

Commonwealth Christian Athletic Conference

Head Coach: Cody Kantner – 4th season

Key Returners: Nate Barnhart (Jr.), Zach Worley (Jr.), Sam Rotunda (So.), Lincoln Good (Jr.), Adrian Groff (Sr.)

Rising Contributors: Ryan Delvalle (Jr.), Kadden Kantner (So.), Mason Martin (So.), Josiah Martin (Sr.)

2025 Record: 7-9

Season Outlook

After making program history a year ago, New Covenant heads into the 2026 season with real reason to believe it can take another step forward. The Flames finished 7-9 last spring, but the bigger story was their first District playoff win, a milestone that gave the program something tangible to build from.

That momentum is backed by continuity. New Covenant returns all of its starters from last season’s team, and that kind of experience can be a difference-maker, especially for a smaller program. The Flames also expect a few new pieces to strengthen the rotation and give them more lineup flexibility.

The returning core of Nate Barnhart, Zach Worley, Sam Rotunda, Lincoln Good, and Adrian Groff gives New Covenant a solid base. At the net, Groff and Good are expected to bring physicality in the middle, while Rotunda’spassing should help steady the first touch and allow the Flames to run a more advanced attack.

New Covenant also looks deeper than it has in the past. Worley and Ryan Delvalle are expected to help direct the offense, with Delvalle also offering another offensive threat. Meanwhile, Barnhart, Kadden Kantner, and Mason Martin have all made gains in their hitting and passing, and Josiah Martin adds another option to a group that believes it has both the talent and depth to compete.

Palmyra Cougars

Mid-Penn Conference

Keystone Division

Head Coach: John McInerney – 4th season

2025 Record: 15-4, 5th place in District 3, PIAA State Qualifier

Season Outlook

Palmyra enters the 2026 season looking to build on the success the program established a year ago. After going 15-4, finishing 5th in District 3, and qualifying for the PIAA State Tournament, the Cougars have shown they can compete at a high level. Under Coach McInerney, Palmyra will look to carry that momentum forward and remain a factor in both District 3 and the state conversation.