If his coaching colleagues are correct, coach Chuck Montgomery’s Hubbard Eagles should be able to defend their title at the Division II sectional-district tournament at Jefferson’s Falcon Gym.

The Eagles (17-1) were the choice of nine of 13 coaches to earn their second straight district title at Sunday’s drawing for the tournament, which will begin with a tripleheader Oct. 13 and end with the district-championship match at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23. The winner advances to the regional tournament at Stow High School Oct. 29 to face the Youngstown district champion.

Lake Catholic (13-4), which finished second to Hubbard last year and has emerged from the Jefferson district on numerous occasions, was seeded second. Coach Rich Severino’s Cougars were the choice of three coaches as the top seed and were named on 10 ballots to emerge as the second seed.

Northeastern Conference champion Geneva (17-3) was a unanimous choice as the tournament’s third seed. Coach Annah Haeseler’s Eagles were also the choice for first seed on one ballot and the pick for second seed from three coaches.

Despite the protestations of coach Scott Taylor, Lakeview (13-7) was picked as the fourth seed. The Bulldogs were named on eight ballots to beat Conneaut (14-4) and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (8-13) for the fourth seed.

Montgomery believes Hubbard has the weapons to uphold its designation. The Eagles have only been defeated by Liberty (9-8), which earned the sixth seed.

“The kids have been playing well,” he said. “We’re the defending champions and won our own tournament this year. We have a lot of young kids who are playing pretty well. We only have two seniors who are basically playing one spot. But we also know we have to play well to win here.”

Severino appears to like the idea of being the hunter instead of the hunted for a change.

“We’re right where I thought we’d be,” Severino said. “I even thought Geneva might get the second seed.

“Hubbard has a very fine team and they beat us last year. They’re also a good

young team, while we lost our middle, an outside hitter and our setter.”

Haesler wasn’t disappointed with Geneva’s seeding at all.

“I’m pleased. It’s as good as it’s going to be,” she said as her team prepares for a final NEC match Tuesday at Conneaut and a season-ending home match Thursday against Premier Athletic Conference co-leader Riverside. “I liked the idea of playing a 6 o’clock match (Oct. 15 for a sectional championship against the Perry-Harvey winner). This will be a tough tournament, no matter where you go.”

Taylor still was trying to ward off any praise that might be drawn from Lakeview’s seeding.