Saturday, August 22, 2015

2015 Volleyball Preview.

Written Saturday August 22nd at 2:30 PM

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.

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