Inside the OAA Top 10.
1. Seaholm
2. Clarkston
3. Orion
4. Stoney Creek
5. Oxford
6. Troy
7. Athens
8. Harrison
9. Adams
10. Groves
When looking into the 2015
Girls Volleyball season, Romeo is the defending Class A champion but it’s
always a new season.
Red:
Seaholm
Clarkston
Orion
Stoney Creek
Adams
Oxford
Troy
Bloomfield Hills
Outlook: The league will be deep and balanced in 2015. There are three state powers in this division as well. Seaholm has to be the early favorite because of whom they return and also may be in the best position to go deep in the playoffs. Clarkston lost Taylor Dellinger a season ago but they will be reloaded once again this season. Orion is deep and talented but is 1-7 against Clarkston in games where they count (league and playoff games) since 2011. This maybe the best team Stoney Creek has and they could make the next step as a program this season. Troy has a lot of talent returning and this could be the best team in a long while that the Colts have had in years. Oxford is experienced but do they have enough playing experience together. Bloomfield Hills returns experience and a new court this season as they move into their new school on the old Andover campus. Adams moves up from the White. They will have experience but the move up means tough competition.
1. Seaholm Maples
Preseason Rank: 1
Last Season: Lost to Mercy in
the regional finals
The Maples fresh off winning
their second district title in three seasons will try to ride that momentum
heading into the 2015 season. Seaholm will be very experienced for Coach
Heather Lippert as this group has played a lot of volleyball. OH Kate Carey, OH
Annie Schletcher, and MH Lauren McCleod will be key players this
season in Birmingham. Seaholm will be state ranked to start the season and is expected
to be a state championship title contending team if they can win their district
and beat Marian for the third time in four years. Expect the Maples to be there
until the very end this season.
2. Clarkston Wolves
Preseason Rank: 2
Last Season: Lost to Romeo in
the regional finals
The Wolves have won seven
straight district and league championships for Coach Kelly Averall Pinner. Last
season ended on a sour note as Clarkston lost to Romeo in the regional finals
at Troy Athens. The Wolves always find a way to reload whether it is in the sub
varsity level or in the middle school level. They will be state ranked to start the season as well. OH Abby Malinowski, MH Sarah
Austin, and L Ashley Schwartz are the three players to keep an eye on. They
must address the center spot which was departed by Taylor Dellinger whom is
playing college Volleyball and also the back row, something they will do.
Clarkston will be a state ranked team this season as well.
3. Orion Dragons
Preseason Rank: 3
Last Season: Lost to
Clarkston in district finals
For a team that won 60 games
and then get swept by your arch rivals on your home court in the district
finals kind of leaves a bad taste in the mouth for the Dragons. Coach Tony
Scvarada also must address beating your arch rivals in games where they count,
something this Orion program hasn’t done since 2011. The Dragons whom will also be state ranked returns L
Kori Varney, H Katelyn Budreau, OH Wies Hurkmans, OH Natalie Wehner, OH Leah
Kalugar, C Danielle Sargent, and OH Marley Redd. Kalguar is the huge part here
because she is expected to replace Hannah Murdock whom is now at Michigan State. Orion also got a huge boost to their lineup as they added Courtney OH and S/L Lindsay Wightman both transferred from Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, whom went to the State semifinals last season and has moved into the district. Courtney was an All State in Class D and has committed to Oakland while Lindsay was second team All State. Expect Orion to be there in the league and in the district title hunt this
season.
4. Stoney Creek Cougars
Preseason Rank: 4
Last Season: Lost to
Clarkston in district semifinals
The Cougars are expected to
make the next step up in 2015 after a successful season in 2014 and is on the way up. The
defending Rochester City champs will be very competitive with the rest
of the league and could possibly contend for a league title if things go right. Coach Mandy Moran does return her two top
players in OH Sammy Sattaman and OH Alexa Tomlack. Sattaman made herself a well-known
name last season, even taking Clarkston to the brink. Stoney Creek is in a
tough district as well but is expected to make some noise this season.
5. Adams Highlanders
Preseason Rank: 9
Lost to Stoney Creek in
pre-district
The Highlanders struggled for
second year coach Irick Gardner but he does return the balk of his team from
last season. Adams will be led by OH Shannon Burger and OH Madison Tuchineky among others.
The problem for the Highlanders this season is that they moved up from the
White to the Red and will have to play powerhouses Orion, Clarkston, and
Seaholm. Adams have plenty of experience and could have a strong season like
they did in the second half of the year with big wins over Avondale and Troy
Athens. Adams is a sleeper in this league because everyone is counting them
out.
6. Oxford Wildcats
Preseason Rank: 5
Lost to Orion in district
semifinals
The Wildcats will have a new coach this season as LaToria Thomas replaces Kristi McDevitt. McDevitt wanted toughness from her team after last season’s disappointing
season and the loss to Orion but Thomas will give them that toughness and mentality. Oxford will be resilient this season as they look to play spoiler to teams. They will be led by OH Grace Wysocki, MB Lisa Savage, OH Nicole Elzerman, and L/DS Hailey Hartwick. among
other players. The Wildcats must follow Thomas lead this season and
build on what could be an interesting season in 2015.
7. Troy Colts
Preseason Rank: 6
Lost to Clarkston in regional
semifinal
Colts coach Vince Muscat had
a very young team in 2014 but they did gain some revenge on their arch rival
from John R Road in the district finals. Troy returns OH Emma Loken and IH
Kirsten Losey along with incoming freshman hitter Jessica Robinson. Loken will be counted on to perform for the Colts and could be a
player to keep an eye on heading into the season along with Robinson. Losey was nominated as
captain for the team and is also expected to contribute among others. This could be the best team that Muscat has had in a while on Northfield Parkway.
8. Bloomfield Hills
Blackhawks
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Marian in
pre-district
Blackhawks coach Bob Hurdle’s
team was very young last season and struggled as well. Bloomfield Hills will return S Michaella Elliot. Ellott
was huge in some games and they will have a new court at a new school this
season. Amanda Sape will be the center and is athletic inside. The Blackhawks looks to take the next step if they want to do well
this season. It could be interesting this season in the new court of Bloomfield
Hills as they move from the Lahser campus to the Andover campus.
White:
Harrison
Groves
Troy Athens
Rochester
North Farmington
Farmington
West Bloomfield
Avondale
Outlook: The White will be an interesting league in 2015. Harrison is balanced but they don't have a lot of experience heading into the season. Groves returns two key players but they must replace some talent. Troy Athens is in the same boat as well. Rochester has a lot of talent returning but can they develop the chemistry over there. North Farmington has experience and should be better heading into the season. West Bloomfield hopes to repeat its district final appearance with a strong season despite the fact they must replace most of their team. Farmington has experience coming back and moving down from the tough Red to the White.
1. Harrison Hawks
Preseason Rank: 8
Lost to Seaholm in district
semifinal
The defending Farmington city
champions will be off and running in 2015. Harrison and Coach Michael Love face
an uncertain future with the possible school closure. The Hawks should be solid heading
into the season. Harrison is led by OH Stefanie Jankiewicz and Mikael Coleman
along with DS Brooke Russ. The downside for the Hawks though is they did lose a lot of experience last season
which is a major concern.
2. Groves Falcons
Preseason Rank: 10
Lost to Seaholm in regional
semifinal
Falcons coach Jenny Brown
will have some experience coming back and will be a contender in the White.
Anya Lev and Shelby Pitts return and will be pivotal to a team that doesn’t
have a lot of experience. It will be interesting to watch this season in
Beverly Hills.
3. Troy Athens Red Hawks
Preseason Rank: 7
Lost to Troy in district
final
Red Hawks Coach Christine
Stanichuck will have to replace some key talent whom had graduated from the
program. Troy Athens had a successful campaign the last two seasons but will
have to do some rebuilding. They will return OH Alexa Van Hoef whom had a huge
sophomore season and will be relied on to do more in her junior season. it could be interesting in Troy this season.
4. Rochester Falcons
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Orion in pre-district
Falcons coach Lauren Duquette
will have some experience coming back after being very young last season. Their
inexperience showed in games but they would like to have a better result
heading into this season. Rochester returns S Maddie Halsey and L Riley Gaber.
The question for the Falcons will be is can their team gel and if they do, then
look out.
5. North Farmington Raiders
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Marian in district
semifinal
The Raiders will have a lot
of versatility and experience heading into the 2015 season for Coach Jessica
Concedi. North Farmington must replace two outside hitters and one defensive
specialist as they are all graduated. The Raiders will rely on OH Haley
Qassaca, C Summer Farris, DS Kerri Kopicko, S Catherine Dickow, and MH Mykela
Ross. North Farmington will have a ton of experience but can they make the jump
up after two down seasons, which will be the question.
6. Farmington Falcons
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Mercy in pre-district
The Falcons will be very
young heading into the 2015 season for second year Coach Katie Drews but can they produce results after moving down from the Red to the White.
Farmington will be led by S Rachel Hume, DS Genna Reed, DS Courtney Szymkowski,
OH Jackie Carborne, DS Danielle Petras, OH Kayley Chandra, and OH Karlee
Wengorovius. Farmington will have some experience back but the question will be
is can they do well against some young and up and coming teams in the White.
7. West Bloomfield Lakers
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Lakeland in district
final
Second year coach Dana Gray
will have to replace some key Lakers whom she lost but she should have an
experienced team coming back. The question for West Bloomfield is do they have
the depth to compete with the big teams and they were moved to a much tougher
district. It could be an interesting season in West Bloomfield.
8. Avondale Yellow Jackets
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Troy in district
semifinal
The Yellow Jackets are going
to have an interesting team in 2015 and they do have a new coach taking over the program in Joe Podvin. Podvin will return key players C Alyssa
Smith, OH Ashley Bittinger, and MH Emma Ahern. Bittinger was Avondale's best player in 2014 but they do have upcoming players in Toya Golden and Brooke Blanchette. They have some questions and they must adjust to the new system under Podvin if they want to move up in the division this season.
Blue:
Oak Park
Berkley
Royal Oak
Ferndale
Hazel Park
Southfield
Lathrup
Pontiac
Outlook: When looking at this division, it's anyone's to win. Oak Park returns the best hitter in this division. Berkley returns the best liberio and could threaten Oak Park in the division. Ferndale lost a lot of talent last season and could struggle. Hazel Park is in the same boat as well. Royal Oak must improve on its consistency but their senior class is very strong. Southfield and Lathrup both have questions before they merge next season. Pontiac could struggle again this season.
1. Oak Park Knights
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Groves in district
semifinal
The Knights did lose two very
good players a season ago but they do return C Jasmine Stackhouse for Coach
AntWon Davis. Oak Park took a little step back last season but is expected to be
one of the favorites in the Blue and could win a district title this season.
2. Berkley Bears
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Groves in district
final
Bears coach Eric Gardner will
return some experience to a team that lost to Groves in the district finals last
season. Berkley returns L Cecilia Somers. Somers will be key for a team that is
trying to win its first district title in a while and they very well could do
it.
3. Royal Oak Ravens
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Groves in pre-district
Ravens coach Heidi
Steudbacker’s team was not consistent last season but she has some
experience coming back with it's senior class. Royal Oak must improve and be aggressive if they want
to do well this season in the Blue.
4. Ferndale Eagles
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Livonia Ladywood in
regional semifinals
The Eagles will be having to
rebuilding a bit this season as they lost two of their top players from a
district championship team. Ferndale and Coach Stacy Schock will have some work
to do if they want to get back to where they want to be at.
5. Hazel Park Vikings
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Sterling Heights in
pre-district
The Vikings lost a lot of
talent last season. Hazel Park coach Sue Stuef must rebuild and it won’t be an
easy rebuild either. The Vikings expect to be competitive this season but the
move from Class A to Class B will help for sure.
6. Southfield Blue Jays
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Farmington in
pre-district
The Blue Jays are an
interesting team to keep an eye on this season. Southfield returns Tailir White
whom is expected to carry Southfield this season.
7. Lathrup Chargers
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Berkley in district
semifinal
The Chargers must improve on
consistency in its final season as a school. Lathrup will compete but they do
have some questions heading into the season as well.
8. Pontiac Phoenix
Preseason Rank: NR
Lost to Athens in district
semifinal
The Phoenix are trying to
build a program in Pontiac but it could be a tough order with the pressure the
school district is facing. The Phoenix could struggle this season on the volleyball floor.
No comments:
Post a Comment