1. Clarkston: The Wolves weren’t themselves last season as they didn’t win the league or a district crown losing both to Orion that season. Clarkston is expected to be a top contender not only in the Red but also in the State as they currently sit third in the State. Wolves coach Kelly Averall-Pinner will have a ton of experience back led by Abby Malinowski and Sarah Austin. Clarkston also has Kayla Luchenbach and Molly Nicholson as well. The Wolves are back.
2. Orion: The Dragons look like they have not missed a beat
since losing a ton of talent from last season league and district championship
team. Orion had a strong showing at Portage Central last weekend and has risen
up to eighth in the State. The Dragons will be a dangerous threat to anyone it
sees going forward led by Leah Kalugar, Mallorie Berriman, Andrea Findley, Wren
McCalualy, Sarah Kelly, and Danielle Sargent.
3. Stoney Creek: The Cougars look like a totally different
team under coach Ross Talbott despite the fact they lost a ton of talent from last season's team that made the district finals. Stoney Creek is poised to get its first district
title in school history. Kate Stration looks to be a star in the making under
Talbott to go along with Erika Ward. Also the Cougars have played a tough
schedule in tournament play which should get them ready for districts.
4. Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks are riding the
momentum of last season’s district championship run with a strong team back this season. Bloomfield Hills and former Oakland University coach Bob Hurdle will rely on a blend of youth and experience in
Bloomfield Hills. The Blackhawks will be led by Julia Caravias, Olivia Smith,
Meredith Wenson, Julia Charlik and have an emerging freshman in Alexa Rousseau
coming up and contributing right away. This will be a good volleyball team this
season but once they get into district play they will have to deal with Seaholm
and Birmingham Marian.
5. Troy Athens: The Red Hawks are looking really strong in
the White division so far and they also got a win over Troy in three games in which equals a odd picture celebration for coach Christine Stanichuk's team.
Troy Athens also has an interesting district coming up in a few weeks in Macomb
County with Warren Cousino, Warren Mott, Royal Oak, Warren Regina, and Sterling
Heights. The Red Hawks led by Alexa Van Hoef, Nicole Borkish, Elise Levernez, and Nya Rodriguez
can do some significant damage not only in the White but also heading into
districts this season.
Other Teams to Keep an Eye On This Season:
Adams: The Highlanders have a ton of experience back for
coach Bridgette Harding. Her daughter Jen is on the team along with Madison
Tuscany, Paige Stabaucker, and Paige Hedlund. Adams could be a team to keep an
eye on in the White.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets bring back a ton of experience
and could be a sleeper in the White race this season. Avondale returns Brooke
Blanchitte, Kierra Robinson, and Fran Aiello for coach Rosemary Motademi. The
Yellow Jackets will be solid but the district could be a tough task though.
Seaholm: The Maples were decimated with graduation losses
but coach Heather Lippert has her team with a strong start in league play.
Seaholm is led by their only returnee in Amele Cekauskas back. The Maples will
have some growing pains this season but with Lippert at the helm expect Seaholm
to reload quickly.
Oxford: The Wildcats were considered to be one of the top
teams I have had my eye on but some tough losses and injuries have hurt coach
LaToria Thomas’s team. Oxford has Paige Briggs and Nicole Elzerman back. The
Wildcats are a sleeper team that could surprise some folks this season.
Troy: The Colts are very young and have a new coach in Tom
Vigilant but he has Jessica Robinson back along with Kelsey Moeller, and an emerging freshman in Fran
McBride. Troy is a young team but when they get enough experience they could be
dangerous.
Rochester: The Falcons are an overwhelming favorite in the
Blue this season. Rochester coach Lauren Duquette will have Maddie Halsey back
and some key returning players. The Falcons should have no problem in league
play but district, tournament, and city play could be a different story.
North Farmington: Raiders coach Kat Hill’s team won the Blue
last season and look to make some strides in the White this season. North
Farmington will have some experience back in Hailey Qasawa, Mykaela Ross,
Summer Farris, Bethany Wood, and Kiera McRae. The Raiders are expected to be a contender
in the White and could be the league’s top threat to Farmington Hills Mercy
once district play starts.
Farmington: The Falcons have a ton of experience back for
coach Katie Drews as ten players are back from a team that was young last season.
Farmington returns Talon Bialik-Cheng, Lauren Mayley, Kayley Chandra, Danielle
Petras, Peyton Fowler, Zoe Guthrie, Caroline Lowenfield, Courtney Szymkowski,
and Emily Moilanen. The Falcons if things fall together
could have something this upcoming season.
Harrison: The Hawks have Stefanie Jankiewicz back along with
Elizabeth Lenard, Kristen Hankins, and Julia Trautman for coach Michael Love’s
team. Harrison moved up from the White to the Red and will experience some
growing pains this season.
Ferndale: The Eagles have a new coach in Rachel Burnham whom will try to build a program in Ferndale.
Burnham led the Eagles to their last district title as an interim coach in 2014
and their last district crown as player a few years back. Ferndale is
experienced and talented this season in Caitlyn Goedert, Ahlexis Cole, Catherine
Tobert-Wilson, Skylar Bartley, Katie Keener, and Ayanna Brown. The Eagles an
early favorite to get another district crown under Burnham but Detroit Mumford
and Hazel Park will be big threats.
Hazel Park: The Vikings are very experienced
and talented after an up and down 2015 last season. Hazel Park returns Trinity Benton, Emme Redmond, Raena Travis, and Emily Blajewski
for coach Lisa McClellan this season. The Vikings have shocking struggled early but expect them to get better fast. I don’t
think a division title is in the cards for Hazel Park but a district title
might be a possibility but Detroit Mumford and Ferndale loom large.
Berkley: The Bears could be a serious threat to the Blue
this season and could make a district run in the playoffs as well but Warren
Fitzgerald and Detroit Renaissance stand in their way. Berkley returns a ton of
talent for coach Chantelle Corson in Dana McDowell, Madison Kendrick, Grace
Mulchay, Natalie Tolvarez, Paige Allen, Madeline Koster, and Cara Hill. The
Bears look to contend in the Blue with Rochester and could very well be a team
to keep an eye on this season.
West Bloomfield: The Lakers came off a White crown last season but they are expected to have some growing pains this season. West Bloomfield coach Dana Gray only has three starters back from a team that lost a tough one to Harrison at home in the district semifinals last season. The Lakers will have to rely on Vanessa Vigier, Aubrey Kohl, and Nyla Greer to carry them in the tough Red this season. The district is not easy either as Farmington Hills Mercy, North Farmington, Harrison, and Farmington will be solid teams.
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