Girls Volleyball District Preview.

Written Tuesday October 27th at 2:15 PM

Here are the district matchups, thoughts and insights in regarding the games and chances of which OAA teams would advance heading into the playoffs.

District 24 @ Lathrup

November 2^nd

Berkley vs Oak Park-5:30 PM

November 4^th

Southfield Lathrup vs Detroit Rennisance-5:30 PM

Berkley/Oak Park vs Southfield- 7 PM

District Final-November 6^th at 7 PM

FAVORITE: Berkley

TOP CHALLENGER: Oak Park

DARK HORSE: Detroit Renaissance

PREDICTION and INSIGHT: This district is not the greatest of districts but it doesn’t have true State powers in this district. The early favorite is Berkley because they are the most established team while Detroit Renaissance and Oak Park will threaten here in this district. The winner of this district has a great chance to do some special things and go deep into the playoffs. I got to go with Berkley winning this one.

PICK: Berkley.

District 23 @ Royal Oak

November 2^nd

Warren Mott vs Sterling Heights- 6 PM

November 4^th

Warren Mott/Sterling Heights vs Troy Athens- 6:30 PM

Royal Oak vs Warren Cousino-8 PM

District Final-November 5^th-7 PM

FAVORITE: Sterling Heights

TOUGH CHALLANGER: Warren Cousino

DARK HORSE: Troy Athens

PREDICTION AND INSIGHT: Sterling Heights is an interesting team to watch in this district because the Stallions are a hit and miss team. They really weren’t impressive in the Macomb Area Blue Division. Sterling Heights did not look good against Warren Cousino in their regular season match-up when they got swept. Warren Cousino has had an up and down season but they did beat Lakeshore to get themselves ready for this district. Also you got to watch for Troy Athens, the Red Hawks have not had the greatest of seasons but they are a dangerous team. The Patriots won’t have it easy with Royal Oak being that it’s on the Ravens home court but I see three teams possibly winning this district, I like Troy Athens coming out because they played in a much tougher division and will overcome a tough Patriots or Stallions team.

PICK: Troy Athens.

District 25 @ Bloomfield Hills

November 2^nd

Birmingham Marian vs Beverly Hills Wylie E. Groves-5 PM

Troy vs Birmingham Ernest W. Seaholm-7 PM

November 4^th

Troy/Seaholm vs Avondale-5 PM

Marian/Groves vs Bloomfield Hills-7 PM

District Final-November 6^th at 7 PM

FAVORITE: Seaholm

TOP CHALLENGER: Birmingham Marian

DARK HORSE: Bloomfield Hills

PREDICTION AND INSIGHT: The Maples have been rolling as of late getting big wins over good teams and have a chance to do some damage in the state playoffs. Birmingham Marian is young this season but has the talent to go up against an experienced and big team like Seaholm. Troy is an interesting team to keep an eye on as well as Bloomfield Hills. The Blackhawks could surprise some folks being at home for the playoffs. Avondale has the front line to compete in this district. Groves is the sleeper here. This district though you got to go with the Maples winning this one.

PICK: Seaholm.

District 21 @ West Bloomfield

November 2^nd

North Farmington vs Farmington-7 PM

November 4^th

Harrison vs West Bloomfield-5:30 PM

North/Farmington vs Farmington Hills Mercy-7 PM

District Final-November 5^th-7 PM

FAVORITE: Mercy

TOP CHALLENGER: West Bloomfield

DARK HORSE: Harrison

PREDICTION AND INSIGHT: Mercy is the early favorite heading into the district. They have been battle tested in the Catholic League and will be a tough out to anyone. If there are two teams that could beat the Marlins it’s either the Hawks or Lakers. West Bloomfield took the White from Harrison winning in four games but the Hawks will be ready when they play each other at West Bloomfield. North Farmington has not looked good lately while the Farmington has improved. Both the Raiders and Falcons will battle but the three teams ahead of them are better. I can’t go against Angela Vogel’s team here in this district though.

PICK: Farmington Hills Mercy.

District 42 @ Warren Fitzgerald.

November 2^nd

Ferndale vs Hazel Park-5 PM

Detroit Central Collegiate vs Detroit Collegiate Prep-6:30 PM

November 4^th

Ferndale/Hazel Park vs Warren Fitzgerald- 5 PM

Central/Collegiate Prep vs Detroit Mumford-6:30 PM

District Final-November 6^th-5 PM

FAVORITE: Warren Fitzgerald

TOP CHALLENGER: Detroit Mumford

DARK-HORSE: Hazel Park or Ferndale

PREDICTION AND INSIGHT: This is an interesting and probably a weak district here with some up and down teams. Warren Fitzgerald is the favorite being the district host and they have had a lot of success this season but keep an eye on Detroit Mumford, Ferndale, and Hazel Park. Both Detroit Mumford and Hazel Park come back from Class A to Class B and both are expected to use their experience there to contend. In the end though the district is the Spartans to lose.

PICK: Warren Fitzgerald.

District 30 @ Utica Eisenhower.

November 2^nd

Stoney Creek vs Rochester-7 PM

November 4^th

Stoney Creek/Rochester vs Utica-6 PM

Adams vs Utica Eisenhower-7:30 PM

District Final-November 6^th-7 PM

FAVORITE: Stoney Creek

TOP CHALLENGER: Utica Eisenhower

DARK HORSE: Utica

PREDICTION AND INSIGHT: This is an interesting district, no state powers are in this district but there is one that is close to being one in Stoney Creek. The Cougars has talent and experience on their side and did share the Red crown with two other teams this season. Utica Eisenhower is also a very good team as well. They have played a tough schedule in the process like Stoney Creek and shared the Macomb Area White crown. Utica is the dark horse but they haven’t been consistent mentally. If they show up then it could be a good three team race. Utica Eisenhower got a nice draw but keep an eye on Rochester and Adams, they could spoil someone’s season. I like Stoney Creek winning this tough district.

PICK: Stoney Creek

District 31 @ Waterford Kettering.

November 2^nd

Oxford vs Waterford Mott-5 PM

Orion vs Clarkston-7PM

November 4^th

Oxford/Waterford Mott vs Waterford Kettering-5 PM

Orion/Clarkston vs Pontiac- 7 PM

District Final-November 6^th-6 PM

FAVORITE: Clarkston

TOP CHALLENGER: Orion

DARK HORSE: Oxford

PREDICTION AND INSIGHT: The Dragons have proven to beat the Wolves in the regular season but can they beat Clarkston in the playoffs. These two teams will meet first in the pre-district and whomever wins this game will win the district in Waterford. The Wolves are solid and talented but young as well. Pontiac, Waterford Kettering, and Waterford Mott will struggle in this district as they don’t have the talent to match-up with the three mentioned teams. Oxford got a great draw avoiding either the Dragons or Wolves until the district final in which the Wildcats will meet one of those teams. I like Orion coming out of this district because of the experience but a good clean bill of health is very important if the Dragons have any chance coming out.

PICK: Orion

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