BEL AIR, Md. - The Harford volleyball team, in the midst of the best season in program history, will experience something no other Fighting Owl volleyball team ever has...the Region XX Championship. Friday night, the Fighting Owls will take on Baltimore City, with the winner advancing to the District N Championship in Missouri.

The Fighting Owls already set the school record for wins (16) and have won eight of their last 10 matches entering the Region XX Championship. Harford has also already defeated Baltimore City twice this season, in straight sets at home on Sept. 19 and in four sets on a neutral court on Oct. 7.

The Fighting Owls are led by All-American candidate Lexie Roberts, who leads the conference and ranks second in the nation with 4.18 kills per set and 0.87 services aces per set. Her 351 kills also lead the way and rank fifth nationally. Against Baltimore City, the freshman outside hitter tallied 17 and 22 kills in the pair of wins. Her attacking percentage was also spot on in those matches, as she hit at a .420 clip (39 kills & 10 errors in 69 attempts).

First year head coach Christy Callahan has also guided sophomore Brandi Smith, who ranks third in the conference and fourth nationally with 0.84 service aces per set. Freshman Ashley Joyner ranks second on the team with 137 kills, while the back row will get a boost with the return of sophomore Maddie Hewitt. Hewitt and Rachel Jirsa have combined for 195 digs at the libero position while ranking second and third on the team in that category. Roberts' 185 digs leads the team and ranks 10th in the conference.

The match at Baltimore City begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, and the winner will travel to Park Hills, Mo. to face the Region XVI Champion on Sat., Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. The winner of that game will advance to the NJCAA Division I National Championship.