Boys
NHIAA Division I
Hanover
The Bears, runners-up from a season ago, went on a tear in the regular season, going 13-1, with 10 of their victories coming via a sweep.
Despite all of the wins this season, the Bears did have one thorn in their side — Bedford, which handed Hanover its only loss of the season, 8-1. Not only that, but the Bulldogs are also the ones who denied Hanover a title last season.
For their dominance, Hanover earned the No. 2 seed and a bye to the quarterfinals, where they took on Londonderry at home on Friday.
NHIAA Division II
Lebanon
The Raiders had a tough season in the win-loss column, finishing 3-10. That record was good for 12th in the division, which was not enough to get Lebanon into the postseason, a year after the program made the quarterfinals.
VPA Division I
Woodstock
The Wasps started the season off strong, winning their first three matches. However, since then, Woodstock has stumbled, dropping five of its last six games and now enters the postseason on a four-match losing streak.
At 4-5, the Wasps are ninth in their division and look to be a shoo-in for the playoffs, considering that 16 teams can enter the postseason tournament according to the VPA’s website.
The first round of the playoffs is set for June 2 and June 3.
Girls
NHIAA Division I
Hanover
The Bears, semifinalists from a year ago, are back for more this postseason with a team that only brought back one player in its top six from a season ago.
With new faces, Hanover raced out to a 6-0 start and ultimately finished 11-3 to secure the No. 4 seed and a first-round bye. The Bears took on Keene, a team they defeated 6-3 in the regular season, at home Thursday in the quarterfinals and advanced to the semifinals with a 5-4 win.
The Bears visit Bedford on Monday with a championship appearance on the line.
NHIAA Division III
Lebanon
The reigning D-III champions have returned to the postseason to defend their title after going 8-4 to capture the No. 4 seed and a first-round bye. The Raiders, who returned just three players who played in last season’s championship, got off to a hot 6-1 start but lost their final two regular-season games.
Lebanon faced Profile, a team it had not faced in the regular season, at home in the quarterfinals and advanced to the semifinals with a 7-2 win.
The Raiders travel to Berlin on Monday to battle for a championship appearance.
VPA Division II
Woodstock
The Wasps currently sit at No. 2 in their division with a 7-3 record, which should solidify them for a playoff spot, since up to 16 teams make the postseason according to the VPA’s website. Woodstock is getting hot at the right time, too, as they won four of five to close the season.
The first round of the playoffs is set for June 2 and 3.
