A year ago, the Bruins thoroughly routed Perry Hall in the state semifinal round. They jittered with confidence — after such carnage, how could the last obstacle to their state crown pose any threat?

By the end of their straight-set loss in the championship game, they knew the answer.

After sweeping Churchill (25-13, 25-22, 25-18) on Tuesday, the Bruins have never felt more ready to hoist a state trophy. They’ll face the winner of Richard Montgomery/Urbana on Saturday at AFGFCU Arena.

“It feels like we earned it more,” senior setter Sydney Lawrence said. “We prepared a lot for that game and our hard work really showed out there today.”

Defeat seasoned Broadneck. At the beginning of the fall, coach Tracey Regalbuto assumed the season would always boil down to her girls, Churchill, Urbana and Richard Montgomery. Even when the Bruins dropped losses to Annapolis Area Christian School and Howard, or gave up two sets to Severna Park and Arundel, the coach felt they were testing out different plays or strategies that simply didn’t pan out. No scientist throws out the whole mission if one experiment fails.

“Every set we lose, every match we lose is in preparation for playoffs,” she said. “I know we’re not failing. All season, we’ve been prepping for this.”

The Bruins (17-3) flattened Churchill in the first set on Urbana High’s floor. The Bulldogs complained to officials that the ball itself felt rock-hard.

Broadneck didn’t disagree, but junior setter Barrett Bolter shrugged. They both had to use the same ball, after all, and with a 6-0 lead and 25-13 win, the volleyball could’ve been a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale for all it mattered.

Still, Bolter and Lawrence assumed the Bulldogs were still feeling out the competition and settling into their own play style.

They were right.

The Churchill front row flickered to life, buying its first tie at three points apiece, then four before surging ahead by the serve of freshman Angela Zhang. Suddenly, it was the Bulldogs peppering Broadneck’s floor with hard hits, aces and a kill. The Bruins long ago earned their reputation for their blocking abilities, but in this set, Churchill beat them at their own game.

After the Bulldogs secured another point on a two-minute volley, 12-7, Regalbuto drew her players in to talk. All she ever has to do, she said, is remind them that it was a playoff game and watch the transformation unfold.

“We knew how we play,” Bolter said. “We started playing our game, too. We knew how to beat them.”

A subsequent service error handed Broadneck the ball once more. Lawrence anchored them from the service line and helped shave some of the margin down to three points.

When Broadneck earned a side out again, it handed Bolter the ball. It wasn’t just that she knew how to deliver a scorching serve. Even the coaches told her that her penchant for giving every one of her teammates high-fives after each point instilled a comforting atmosphere.

Once they felt comfortable, they could regain their confidence.

“Having two setters on the court is also super helpful in every chaotic play,” Bolter said, gesturing to Lawrence.

Churchill over hit its serve receives, quickly placing control back in Broadneck hands, 18-17. Once the Bruins tasted victory in the air again, they wouldn’t let it pass them by.

Though the Bulldogs kept it a close game until the very end of the frame – even tying it up at 22 – the Bruins kept composure.

Senior Kennedy Smith’s kill secured the set point, and Churchill called timeout. It was clear in the strained looks they all exchanged that if they didn’t win then, they wouldn’t win at all.

Together, Smith and senior Addison Britton met them at the net and blocked those hopes from coming true.

Senior Anna Graves marked each one of those second-set runs with at least one kill. She figured she might as well break in the third set the same way.

Regalbuto quipped she would’ve liked a slightly cleaner ending. The Bulldogs gave a death rattle, scoring six after Broadneck hit the match point. But Broadneck had already dropped Churchill into such an insurmountable, double-digit ditch that even when its foes whittled the lead down to 24-18, all the Bruins needed was one good hit to advance. Freshman Camryn Bedell was happy to oblige.

“Playing better people makes us better,” Bolter said. “This helped us, for sure.”

Have a news tip? Contact Katherine Fominykh at kfominykh@baltsun.com or DM @capgazsports on Instagram. 

The state Motor Vehicle Administration will work with the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families to steer donations to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund. The nonprofit group helps veterans and their families who are facing temporary financial hardships with expenses such as rent, mortgage payments and utilities.

“The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund exists to meet veterans where they are — often in moments of crisis — and provide timely, meaningful assistance,” said Heather Geraldes, the fund’s executive director, in an announcement.

The donation option, along with expanded veterans services offices, will help make support for veterans more accessible across the state year-round, MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer said in an announcement.

The MVA has opened veteran service program offices in nine MVA branches across the state, including new locations in Annapolis and Waldorf. The offices, open by appointment from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, are staffed by professionals who help veterans apply for benefits.

These offices have helped more than 6,000 veterans, dependents and survivors secure more than $54 million in federal benefits.

The MVA also offers services specifically for veterans and military personnel. Some include waivers to skip the skills test when applying for a commercial driver’s license; an exemption from state emissions testing for active-duty personnel stationed out-of-state or overseas and “veteran” labels on driver’s licenses for easier access to benefits.

Have a news tip? Contact Lorraine Mirabella at lmirabella@baltsun.com and (410) 332-6672.

After starting the season with seven straight wins, Navy (7-2, 5-1 American Conference) has hit a speed bump with back-to-back defeats at the hands of North Texas, 31-17, and Notre Dame, 49-10. Saturday’s game and a Thanksgiving night matchup at Memphis will determine if Navy remains in contention for a berth in the American Conference championship.

Navy is one of five teams in the American with one conference loss and coach Brian Newberry acknowledged on Monday that a second setback would likely be fatal. Newberry did not hesitate when asked if Saturday is a must-win situation for the Midshipmen.

“You kind of have to look at it that way. You certainly wouldn’t think that a team with two losses is going to get into the championship game,” Newberry said. “We’re still playing meaningful games in November, which is important for our program.”

Newberry sounded confident that starting quarterback Blake Horvath would be able to play against South Florida after sitting out the Notre Dame game with an upper body injury sustained late in the loss to North Texas.

“I feel good about Blake. I think he’s made improvement every day and is starting to feel better and better,” Newberry said Monday. “We’ll get him out there to do some work today. I’m optimistic.”

Obviously, everyone associated with the American believes its champion deserves the automatic berth in the College Football Playoff that is accorded the Group of Five conferences.

There were no Group of Five schools included in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, while the latest Associated Press poll has James Madison of the Sun Belt Conference at No. 24, one spot ahead of USF.

South Florida, whose lone conference loss came against Memphis, can make a strong statement to the College Football Playoff committee by beating Navy on its home field. A win would also put USF in a strong position to reach the conference championship as its final two games are against teams at the bottom of the standings in Alabama-Birmingham and Rice.

Snipe Eli Heidenreich rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown, while Horvath accounted for 114 yards of total offense and two touchdowns as Navy went down to Tampa last season and beat USF, 28-7. Outside linebacker Luke Pirris recorded nine tackles to spearhead a strong defensive effort for the Midshipmen, who limited the Bulls to 60 rushing yards.

It is unlikely the Midshipmen will hold the Bulls to one touchdown again based on the season-long statistics for each team.

South Florida is averaging 42 points and 485.2 total yards, ranking fifth and seventh nationally in those two categories. Meanwhile, Navy is giving up 26.8 points and 393.6 total yards per game, ranking 87th and 94th in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

USF is led by quarterback Byrum Brown, the early favorite to earn the American Conference Offensive Player of the Year honor. Brown is truly a two-way threat as he leads the Bulls in rushing with 705 yards and nine touchdowns, while passing for 2,203 yards and 19 scores.

It should be noted that Brown did not play against Navy last season as he suffered a season-ending leg injury in the fifth game. Bryce Archie was the starting quarterback for USF in last year’s meeting and completed just 26 of 43 passes with two interceptions.

Brown, who owned 13 school records coming into this season, is much more of a dangerous threat. Newberry said the Bulls have made a conscious effort to incorporate their dynamic quarterback into the rushing attack.

“[Brown] is playing at an extremely high level and I think he is perfectly suited to run their offense. I think the biggest difference between now and a year ago has been his ability to run the football, either on designed runs or with being able to improvise when the play breaks down,” Newberry said. “Just a really, really good athlete and a competitor — a big, strong runner who is not the type of quarterback that’s going to slide. He’ll try to run you over and get the hard yards.”

While Brown is the focal point of the ground game, USF has a capable tailback in Nykahi Davenport, who has rushed for 397 yards and five touchdowns. Wide receiver Keshaun Singleton is the top target in the pass game with 33 catches for 573 yards and five scores.

“Offensively, they spread you out and force you to defend the entire field and make plays in space. When a team is able to spread you out and have the element of the quarterback run it’s problematic,” Newberry said. “Then you add the element of tempo and going really, really fast. There is a lot of really good talent around Brown and they do spread the ball around.”

South Florida is improved on defense in its second season under coordinator Todd Orlando, who has held that same position at seven other schools including Texas and USC. Linebackers Mac Harris (75 tackles) and Jhalyn Shuler (69) anchor a unit that ranks seventh nationally with 19 caused turnovers and ninth with 9.2 tackles for loss per game.

Orlando has faced Navy and its unique offense previously while defensive coordinator at Connecticut and Houston. Offensive coordinator Drew Cronic thought USF defended Navy very well last season.

“I think they have improved a ton defensively. It’s the second year in Todd Orlando’s system and I think he does a really, really good job,” Newberry said. “They are really opportunistic and disruptive on defense. It’s just a really well-rounded football team. The explosiveness on offense combined with the chaos on defense is a winning formula.”

Navy will honor its 28 seniors during a pregame ceremony, a class that includes such multi-year standouts as Horvath, Heidenreich, fullback Alex Tecza, snipe Brandon Chatman, guard Ben Purvis, nose guard Landon Robinson and outside linebacker Luke Pirris.

It is a class that turned around a program that had suffered four straight losing seasons. These seniors will finish with consecutive winning campaigns capped by bowl berths. Navy has compiled a 26-20 record during their careers and is in position to capture the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the second straight season.

“We’ve got a tremendous senior class. This is a special group, special young man, some really talented players in this class,” Newberry said. “We talked this morning in the staff meeting about how important this week is for those guys; These are guys that deserve to go out on a positive note in their last game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. I certainly feel a responsibility to make sure that happens.”

Have a news tip? Contact Bill Wagner at bwagner@capgaznews.com, 443-534-0102 and x.com/@BWagner_CapGaz.

Messina and The Road Runners will be performing music associated with their latest live album, “Here, There and Everywhere,” at 8 p.m. Nov. 25, according to a news release. Messina has described the album as an eclectic mix of folk, country, rock and Latin from different phases of his career.

He is perhaps best known for playing the bass guitar for the seminal 1960s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Buffalo Springfield. After Springfield disbanded in 1968, Messina co-founded the pioneering country rock band Poco. In 1971, he joined forces with the then-unknown Kenny Loggins to form one of rock’s most successful recording duos.

Over the next eight years, Loggins & Messina released eight albums, selling more than 16 million recordings of such hit tunes as “Danny’s Song” and “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” the release says.

Tickets to the Annapolis concert cost $71 to $96, including fees.

Have a news tip? Contact Mary Carole McCauley at mmccauley@baltsun.com and 410-294-0169.

Kortlan Jackson, a spokesperson with the police department, said Tuesday that no injuries were reported in either case. He said police have not determined whether the two suspected shootings are connected.

The department has yet to identify any suspects, Jackson said.

According to a news release issued Monday by the department, Annapolis officers responded to Clay Street and Abney Lane on Sunday, just before midnight, after receiving multiple calls from residents about hearing the sound of gunshots.

Police said officers spoke with different residents in the area who confirmed hearing gunshots and seeing two men run from the area toward West Washington Street. However, police did not find any evidence of a shooting in the area.

As officers investigated the reports, police received another call just after midnight for a report of shots fired in the 700 block of Newtowne Drive, roughly 2.5 miles away from Clay Street. Jackson said a shell casing was found at the scene.

Officers also found three vehicles that appeared to be damaged from the incident, according to the news release. Police said one of the vehicles, which had a shattered windshield, was struck by gunfire.

According to the release, a black iPhone was found on the ground in the area of the reported shooting. Jackson said police are still unsure whether the phone belongs to someone who was involved.

Have a news tip? Contact Maggie Trovato at mtrovato@baltsun.com, 443-890-0601 or on X @MaggieTrovato.

The holiday promotion is meant to encourage visitors and city residents to shop downtown this holiday season.

From Nov. 28 through New Year’s Day, the first two hours of parking at metered or kiosk spaces in downtown are free when parkers use the ParkMobile app. Parkers can then extend the time by an hour for the normal parking cost.

At Mills-Hillman Garage during the same time period, the first hour of parking will be free when visitors use the ParkMobile app. Two hours of free parking at the Mills-Hillman, Gotts, Knighton or Park Place garages are available to visitors who shop or eat at one of the businesses that are a part of the city’s Park Shop & Dine program and pick up validation coupons.

On Dec. 4, 11 and 18, there will be $5 parking at the Park Place garage during Midnight Madness, an annual late-night shopping event in downtown, and a free shuttle to downtown and back.

City residents are eligible for two-hour free parking with a resident promo code at any time of the year at four downtown garages: Gotts, Knighton, Park Place and Mills-Hillman. The Calvert Street garage is free from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weeknights.

As of Oct. 31, fines for garage ticket violations have been reduced from $50 to $33.50. The lower fee was approved by the City Council and accounts for hourly rate of $3.50, a $5.25 administrative fee and a $25 violation.

Eliminating unnecessary fines at city garages, and instead charging only for time used, is one of the parking issues presumptive Mayor-elect Democrat Jared Littmann said he plans to work on once he takes office in December.

At the Mills-Hillman garage, these fees have been criticized for punishing visitors who misjudge how long they plan to park in the garage. Visitors are asked to pay for the parking they estimate they will use once they park in the garage, and may be charged a fine if they overstay if they do not extend their stay through the app or text-to-pay.

Have a news tip? Contact Katharine Wilson at kwilson@baltsun.com. 

Another Broken Egg Cafe

The Elkridge outpost of this national breakfast chain will serve a free “Patriot French Toast” combo meal with coffee to veterans, active-duty and retired service members all day. 7700 Hearthside Way, Elkridge; 443-733-3752; anotherbrokenegg.com

BIBIBOP Asian Grill

This regional, Korean-inspired build-your-own-bowl chain will offer free bowls for veterans and active-duty military with proof of service. 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia; 410-310-3853; bibibop.com

Bubbakoo’s Burritos

With proof of service, both veterans and active-duty military can receive a free taco trio at national Mexican restaurant chain. Multiple locations across Maryland; bubbakoos.com.

Bubba’s 33

Veterans get a free lunch or a voucher to use at national bar bite restaurant chain Bubba’s 33 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Veterans Day. 7305 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie; 410-760-7427; bubbas33.com

Chicken Salad Chick

Maryland’s only location of this chicken salad chain, in Westminster, will offer all veterans and active-duty military a free meal, complete with one side and a regular-sized fountain drink, on Veterans Day. 255 Baltimore Blvd., Westminster; 410-861-6401; chickensaladchick.com

Golden Corral

Tuesday is the 25th anniversary of Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Night, during which military retirees, veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard members or reservers receive a free dinner from 4 p.m. until close. Multiple locations across Maryland; goldencorral.com

Harris Teeter in Locust Point

Harris Teeter

Holders of both military ID and a VIC store savings card will receive 11% off their grocery carts on Veterans Day. Multiple locations across Maryland; harristeeter.com

Maryland National Parks

All visitors can see 18 Maryland National Park Service sites, including Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and Fort McHenry, free of charge on Veterans Day. A complete list of sites is available on the National Park Service website. Multiple locations across Maryland; nps.gov

Maryland Transit Administration

The MTA will offer free rides for all U.S. military veterans, active-duty military and members of the National Guard and Reserves across all models of Maryland public transit. 410-539-5000; mta.maryland.gov

Sport Clips Haircuts

Service members and veterans can receive a free haircut at any participating Sport Clips locations. Multiple locations across Maryland; sportclips.com

Starbucks

All day Tuesday, Starbucks will pour military service members and their spouses free tall-sized brewed coffee, hot or iced, free of charge. Multiple locations across Maryland; starbucks.com

Wendy’s

With proof of U.S. Military service, veterans and active-duty military can get a free breakfast combo — featuring any breakfast sandwich, seasoned potatoes and a beverage. This offer is only available at locations operated by hospitality company Flynn Group — a complete list is available on the Flynn website. Multiple locations across Maryland flynn.com/wendys

Have a news tip? Contact Jane Godiner at jgodiner@baltsun.com or on Instagram as @Jane.Craves.

Garrett County saw about 3 inches of snow Monday night, marking the season’s first significant accumulation in Maryland. A winter weather advisory remains in effect for all of Western Maryland until 7 a.m., with up to another inch of snow possible before conditions begin to improve.

Tuesday in the Baltimore area could start chilly, with clouds giving way to some afternoon sunshine and temperatures topping out near 47 degrees. Gusty west winds, reaching up to 37 mph, will add an extra chill to the air. By Tuesday night, clouds are expected to return as temperatures fall to around 37 degrees, accompanied by a lighter southwest breeze between 6 and 10 mph.

[Get the latest weathercast from FOX45 News]

Wednesday should bring a sunnier and milder outlook, with highs near 57 and a steady southwest breeze gusting up to 29 mph. The night will likely be mostly clear, with lows expected around 41.

Cool, sunny conditions could continue into Thursday, with highs again near 57 before dipping to about 40 overnight.

Friday should be mostly sunny, reaching close to 59 degrees, followed by a partly cloudy night with a low around 37.

The weekend could stay pleasant and dry for most of Maryland. Saturday looks mostly sunny with a high near 55, followed by a mostly cloudy night dipping to around 45 degrees.

By Sunday, clouds will mix likely with sun as temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-60s, a brief warm-up before rain chances return late Sunday into Monday.

Light showers are possible early next week, with highs near 59 and rain chances around 30%.

Ellenberger enjoyed immediate success and quickly endeared himself to Chesapeake principal Harry Calendar and athletic director Al Grau. A teacher never did seek the position and Ellenberger became entrenched.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I ever have thought I would last 20-plus years,” Ellenberger said this week. “I figured if I coached for three or four years I would count my blessings. I still can’t believe it lasted as long as it did.”

Ellenberger also would not have believed it if you told him he would be so successful leading Chesapeake softball that the program’s accomplishments would land him in the Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Fame.

However, that is what happens when you compile a remarkable 354-83 career record (.810 winning percentage) and direct Chesapeake to three state championships. The Cougars made nine state championship appearances during his tenure, which lasted from 2002 through 2021.

Chip Snyder served as Chesapeake athletic director for most of the Ellenberger era and called him “the ultimate coach.”

“When Don was leading the program, I never had to worry about anything. He is what every athletic director wants in a varsity head coach,” said Snyder, who was assistant athletic director when Ellenberger was hired. “You knew Don was going to put a quality product on the field every year and that the players were going to be led in the right way.”

Ellenberger will be formally enshrined during the 34th annual Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet, being held Wednesday at the DoubleTree Hotel in Annapolis. He will be joined by former Major League Baseball player Brett Cecil, volleyball standout Stacey Gilligan, world champion powerlifter Kirk Karwoski and sports broadcaster Pete Medhurst.

Ellenberger got into coaching girls softball with the powerful Lake Shore Spartans summer travel program. He and Don Bischoff led a Spartans squad for many years.

When Bischoff was hired as Chesapeake High softball coach, he brought along Ellenberger as an assistant. Bischoff only stayed for three seasons before departing to become head softball coach at Anne Arundel Community College, which he led to the Division III national championship in 2003.

“Harry Calendar and Al Grau decided to give me a shot and see how things went,” Ellenberger said. “I figured I would do the best I could and eventually somebody would tell me when to go away.”

That wound up never happening.

Dennis Thiele, who compiled a 248-61 record and directed Chesapeake to five state championships during a 15-year tenure, was still teaching there when Ellenberger was hired. During the spring sports season, Thiele would stand on the hill overlooking the Chesapeake softball field and watch practice.

Ellenberger, in a show of respect, would walk up the hill to say hello to Thiele.

“I remember the first time Denny came out he said to me: ‘Congratulations, good luck, but you’ll never do what I did.’ I told Denny he might be right, but we’ll see what happens,” Ellenberger said. “I also said I don’t know how many games we’ll win, but I’ll guarantee we’ll teach the players all the important fundamentals and we’ll teach a lot of life lessons as well.”

Deep down, Ellenberger did realize he faced a monumental task in maintaining the tradition of excellence that Thiele established.

What Ellenberger wound up doing was building on that legacy in a big way, leading Chesapeake to consecutive Class 4A state championships in 2007 and 2008. Those teams, led by the incomparable Lauren Gibson, compiled a combined record of 47-5.

“Lauren Gibson threw no-hitters in both state championship games, which was amazing,” Ellenberger said. “Lauren Gibson was the best softball player I’ve ever seen. She could do it all at the highest level.”

Ellenberger had another great team in 2011 as Chesapeake posted a 23-1 record and was nationally ranked by USA Today. The only loss came in the state championship game.

Chesapeake also captured nine region championships and claimed eight county championships under Ellenberger, who was named Washington Post Metro Coach of the Year in 2008 and Baltimore Sun Metro Coach of the Year in 2019. He was chosen Anne Arundel County Coach of the Year by Capital Gazette in 2012 and 2021.

Ellenberger resigned following the 2021 campaign, going out in style as Chesapeake was crowned Class 3A state champions.

Snyder tried to talk Ellenberger out of stepping down, but he was entering retirement and wanted to spend more time with his wife at their vacation home in Ocean Pines.

“When Don departed, he was truly missed by Chesapeake High School. Coaches of his caliber don’t come around often,” Snyder said. “Don had a great personality and tremendous demeanor. He knew how to relate to kids, was firm but fair and all his rules and regulations were in black and white. Practices were fun, but the players knew when it was time to get serious.”

Ellenberger had three children that all played sports at Chesapeake — daughters Army and Christy along with son Scott. He worked for USF&G for 26 years until the company was sold and moved to Minneapolis. He had a second lengthy career of 22 years with the Social Security Administration.

During his acceptance speech on Wednesday, Ellenberger will thank all the people who made coaching Chesapeake so easy and enjoyable — starting with Snyder.

“Chip put up with me for 20 years, and I’m not sure how he did. We got along great,” Ellenberger said.’

Don Collins and Tom Owen were the assistants for most of Ellenberger’s tenure. Brittany Owen served as the junior varsity coach for many years and was promoted to succeed Ellenberger as varsity head coach.

Above all else, Ellenberger is grateful for all the talented players that came through the program during his two decades in the dugout.

“When you look at what Chesapeake accomplished during my tenure, it’s all a credit to the players,” he said. “They’re the ones that have to learn how to play the game the way we wanted it played and they were the ones that had to go out on the field and perform.”

Have a news tip? Contact Bill Wagner at bwagner@capgaznews.com, 443-534-0102 and x.com/@BWagner_CapGaz.