The postseason has arrived for the Allegany College of Maryland volleyball team.
Under first-year head coach
Kylie Heyne, the Trojans have earned a berth in the 2026 NJCAA Region 20 Tournament and will travel to face eighth-seeded Garrett College on Tuesday, October 27, at 7 p.m. on Dennis Gibson Court in McHenry, Maryland. The winner will advance to the Region 20 Quarterfinals hosted by Cecil College in North East, Maryland, October 30-November 1.
For Heyne and the Trojans, the playoff appearance is a testament to the growth, resilience, and determination displayed throughout the season. ACM battled through one of the region's toughest schedules and recorded key victories over Hagerstown Community College, Harford Community College, Community College of Beaver County, Chesapeake College, and Penn Highlands Community College en route to a 7-8-1 overall record and a ninth-place Region 20 seed.
The Trojans opened the season with back-to-back five-set victories over Hagerstown and Harford before adding strong performances throughout September and October. Their road wins and ability to compete in tight matches helped secure a postseason opportunity in a talented Region 20 field.
Region 20 Tournament Seeds
- Potomac State*
- Cecil
- Montgomery
- Howard
- Frederick
- Hagerstown
- College of Southern Maryland
- Garrett
- Allegany
- Carroll/Penn Highlands/Anne Arundel
*Potomac State's first-round opponent will be determined by remaining play-in contests.
Familiar Foe Awaits
Tuesday's matchup marks the second meeting of the season between ACM and Garrett.
The Lakers earned a 3-1 victory over the Trojans on October 6 in McHenry, but the statistics showed just how competitive the match really was. Despite the loss, ACM matched Garrett with 57 points, recorded 35 kills to Garrett's 37, finished with more blocks (5-3), more assists (34-32), and more digs (55-52).
Sophomore standout
Chloe DeBlock paced the Trojans with 19 kills, while
Adyson Weyandt added six kills and 13 digs.
Allison Angelo contributed six service aces and 12 digs, while setter
Addison Franz dished out 21 assists.
Garrett was led by Mia Barrios and Kyla Gilbert, who each recorded 12 kills.
If ACM can replicate the balanced effort it produced in the regular-season meeting while converting a few more key points late in sets, the Trojans could find themselves advancing to quarterfinal round.
Looking Ahead
Should ACM defeat Garrett, the Trojans would advance to the Region 20 Quarterfinals at Cecil College, joining some of the conference's top programs.
The tournament favorite appears to be top-seeded Potomac State College, which enters postseason play with an impressive 16-1 overall record and a perfect 16-0 divisional mark. The Catamounts have won six straight matches and boast dominant team statistics, averaging 12.29 kills per set, a .257 hitting percentage, 3.92 aces per set, and 16.12 digs per set. Potomac State's only loss came outside divisional competition, and the Catamounts swept both Cecil College and ACM during the regular season.
However, postseason volleyball often comes down to momentum, and the Trojans have already shown they can compete in pressure situations. Five of ACM's victories this season have come in matches that extended beyond three sets, proving this group is comfortable battling when the stakes are highest.
A Successful First Season
Regardless of what happens Tuesday night, the 2026 season has been a successful building block for Coach Heyne and the Trojan volleyball program.
Earning a Region 20 Tournament berth in her first season at the helm is an accomplishment worth celebrating. The Trojans have shown steady growth throughout the year, developed a competitive identity, and positioned themselves for future success.
Now, with postseason volleyball on the horizon, the challenge is simple:
Win and advance.
The Trojans will look to extend their season Tuesday night when they take on Garrett College at 7 p.m. in McHenry, with a trip to the Region 20 Quarterfinals on the line.
Region 20 Play-In Match #9 Allegany College of Maryland at #8 Garrett College
Tuesday, October 27 | 7:00 p.m.
Dennis Gibson Court | McHenry, Maryland
Winner advances to the Region 20 Quarterfinals at Cecil College.
