A history-making season brought Manheim Central a state volleyball championship in 2025.
Now, as Coach Craig Dietrich begins a new season, he has a trophy to look back on – but only two key returnees to help him defend the Barons’ title.
But what a duo the returning players are – Section 2 second-team all-stars Blake Neiles and Caleb Groff, who were instrumental in last year’s championship.
“Obviously, we have a lot of spots to fill, so it will be critical for our two returnees to have a good year,” and to guide the younger squad taking over, Dietrich says.
Dietrich and his two returnees met with the media at the LNP | Lancaster Online spring sports media day at Penn Medicine Park.
Central graduated five players from last year’s PIAA Class 2A champion, including Dylan Musser and Reagan Miller, co-MVPs in Section 2.
Musser also was 2024-25 Mr. Volleyball of Pennsylvania, and Landon Mattiace and Colin Rohrer joined Miller and Musser on the all-state team.
In defeating Meadville to win Central’s first-ever PIAA title, the Barons avenged a loss to Meadville a year earlier.
Manheim Central, embarking on the 20th season in program history, has won the section title 11 times, plus two league titles and last year’s state championship.”
