Volleyball Districts are Out.

Written Wednesday June 13th at 6:30 PM
Updated Friday September 28th at 1:00 AM

Here are the Volleyball districts as released by the MHSAA as of a few hours ago. The basketball ones should be released by the MHSAA in a few days. I will have a separate blog article talking about those districts.

Here they are.

District 5 @ Waterford Kettering

LAKE ORION

CLARKSTON

OXFORD

Holly

Waterford Kettering

Volleyball Outlook:

FAVORITE: Lake Orion

NEXT: Clarkston

WILDCARD: Oxford

WHY: This district looks like it could be a Clarkston/Lake Orion district final in the making but Oxford could be a serious contender as well. The Wolves return a ton of talent led by Claire Nowicki, Hailey Stewart, Skylar Jidas, Mackenzie Rotter, Kelsey Schaldenbrand, and Sierra Keresten and are also well coached for coach Kelly Averall Pinner. The Dragons are a senior heavy team led by Wren McCaullay, Sydney Smith, Paige Briggs (when healthy), Leigah Boes, Lauren Bell, Olivia Long, Riley Hunter, Sydney Gruppenhoff, and Ciara Livingway for coach Tony Scvarada. The Wildcats are also loaded for coach Brian Kim as they are led by Madelyn Weiss, Anna Peruski, Alyssa DeTone, Rachel Gubesch, Sydney Richter, Alexa Kingham, Catherine Dobies, Emma LaBarge, Anna Trbovich, and Mackenzie Miller. Holly will have some experience coming back despite starting six freshman last season for coach Denna Maher led by Lauren Lesch, Sydnie Meszler, Maddie Meszler, Jessie Hepner, Paige Weeder, Danielle Coleman, Sarah Jewell, Nicole Jewell, and Kennedy Hogan. Waterford Kettering is very young and could struggle in this district despite being the host. It’s whom adjusts to the odd angle of the Captains home court which will win this district. I see this district painted in green or in blue.

District 6 @ Stoney Creek

STONEY CREEK

ADAMS

ROCHESTER

Utica Eisenhower

Romeo

Utica

Volleyball Outlook:

FAVORITE: Stoney Creek

NEXT: Utica Eisenhower

WILDCARD: Adams

WHY: Stoney Creek and Utica Eisenhower has had a nice rivalry brewing as of late. The Cougars finally got over the hump by beating the Eagles at home but Utica Eisenhower in the last two seasons has beaten Stoney Creek one at home and one on the road in the postseason. The Cougars are loaded for coach Ross Talbott led by Stephanie Smith, Kate Stration, Nina Billoto, Ava Menzo, Ashley Gadzik, Reema Gowda, Kate Yatooma, and Sara Thompson. The Eagles counter with Sydney Palazzolo, Marrissa Durand, Sam Palazzolo, Meghan Dombrowski, Abbey Biermann, Jenn Flakenhagen, and Terah Ostrander for coach Caitlyn LaPratt. Adams is the wildcard in this district as they could pose the biggest obstacle to a Stoney Creek/Utica Eisenhower rematch. The Highlanders are well coached under Bridgette Harding and feature some talent led by Bailey Pease, Amber Morris, Emanella Gjokaj, Ashley Rill, Sophie Noll, Julia Shafer, Lara Sebestian, Juhi Valera, and Kaitlyn Petoskey. Rochester has a new coach in Kirk Gibbs. Gibbs will have some experience returning in the form of Ryan Allor, Leona Falconer, Rachel Gilbert, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Pegi Laci, Helena Rowland, Sailor Mayes, and Carly Rodman. Romeo will be an interesting team to keep an eye on as coach Stacey Williams will have a ton of experience back led by Gia Milana’s sister Salina Milana along with Payton Engstrom, Ally Konarzewski, Victoria Zions, Jenny Phillips, Juillana Bollini, Shayla Munn, Chloe Holiday, Kiyah Franklin, Emily Snay, Liz Liz, and Natalie Nowak. Utica has a ton of experience coming back for coach Jeff LaPratt in Abby Rissman, Frankie Rea, Kayla Jacob, Alyssa Jacob, Sophia Gjonaj, Raeleen Sobetski, Cayley Ebeling, Mone Knowles, Veronica Walters, Jaclyn Duff, and Katie O’Connor. This will be a fun district to watch as there is a ton of experience here.

District 7 @ Bloomfield Hills

AVONDALE

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

TROY

TROY ATHENS

WEST BLOOMFIELD

Waterford Mott

Volleyball Outlook:

FAVORITE: Bloomfield Hills

NEXT: Troy

WILDCARD: West Bloomfield

WHY: This district could have some fireworks written all over it. The favorite has to be Bloomfield Hills because not only they are the hosts but they are also talented as well. The hosts should have a competitive team led by Alexa Rousseau along with Brooke Bosart, Noelle Siewek, Kaitlyn Keele, Lily Formanek, and Alvia Slazinski for new coach Larry Wyatt whom comes over from Royal Oak Shrine. Troy will be the Blackhawks top challenger in this district as they have a star player in Jessica Robinson for coach Tom Vigilant and that’s not mentioning Fran McBride, Athena Sampson, Faith Keating, Lauren Alberts, Rachel Turpin, Elena D’Souza, Nikola Palinca, Caroline Shabet, and Bella Zaleski either. West Bloomfield could be a surprise to keep an eye on for coach Dana Gray as they have Kendall Jones, Lyndsey Cooper, Grace Allread, Jenna Rogind, Gabrelle Zubrzycki, Lauren King, Dana Suchara, and Victoria Reading. Avondale should be better this season. Troy Athens as they have a ton of experience coming back led by Alexa Withun. Waterford Mott will have a tough time in this district. I see this district either being painted in purple or in black.

District 25 @ Farmington

FARMINGTON

NORTH FARMINGTON

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

Farmington Hills Mercy

Livonia Stevenson

Volleyball Outlook:

FAVORITE: Farmington Hills Mercy

NEXT: Livonia Stevenson

WILDCARD: North Farmington

WHY: This is an interesting district when you look at it but there is one State ranked team that will be favored in this district. The favorite has to be Farmington Hills Mercy when you look who they have coming back. The Marlins will be led by Emily Susitko, Logan Beyer, Jessica Mruzik, and Mallory Conrad for coach Loretta Vogel. Livonia Stevenson will have a ton of experience returning for coach Julian Wargo in Abbey Cleaveland, Libby Cleaveland, and Koryn Parmenter. Farmington for coach Kate Drews returns Sydney Eggleton to a very young lineup. North Farmington for coach Kat Hall could be a dark-horse candidate returns MiKayla Hines, Delayna Jabboori, Laylah Carter, Katy Cangemi, and Alyssa Murphy. Southfield Arts and Tech should be competitive for new coach Alisha Love but it will be interesting to see what the Warriors got. I see this being a Marlins/Spartans district final.

District 26 @ Birmingham Marian

BERKLEY

GROVES

SEAHOLM

ROYAL OAK

Birmingham Marian

Volleyball Outlook:

FAVORITE: Birmingham Marian

NEXT: Seaholm

WILDCARD: Groves

WHY: Birmingham Marian fresh off making the State finals last season will have their third coach in three years as Mayssa Cook takes over for Lauren Duquette. Cook comes over from Pontiac Notre Dame Prep after coaching the Fighting Irish junior varsity program to take over the Mustangs. Her new team will have a ton of experience this season led by Maddie Dowd and Christine Audette. Birmingham Marian also has talented players in Caitlyn Marsh, Rebecca Morris, Olivia Osuch, Mallory Lynch, Cecelia Nienstedt, Sarah Cavanaugh, Jacquil Feldman, Yasmeen Sarafa, and Claire Winter. Seaholm is very young but they will always be a threat and are well coached led by the duo of Heather (Lippert) and Jason Gambone. Groves could be interesting as they are led by Ellie Ruprich for coach Jenny Brown. Royal Oak had a tough season last year could be in line for some success for coach Emily Burwinkle. Berkley will be an interesting to keep an eye on for coach Chantelle Corson this season. This district looks like it’s the Mustangs to lose.

District 27 @ Detroit Renaissance

OAK PARK

Detroit Renaissance

Detroit Mumford

Redford Thurston

Redford Union

Volleyball Outlook:

FAVORITE: Detroit Renaissance

NEXT: Detroit Mumford

WILDCARD: Oak Park

WHY: This district is not as strong to the OAA but it would be interesting if Oak Park can shock the world but it's not likely. The favorite has to be the Phoenix from Detroit Renaissance whom should be the best team in the Detroit Public School League and Detroit Mumford whom is also solid as well. I don’t expect much from neither Redford schools here in this district as well. This district will have a name Detroit moving on to the regional.

District 56 @ Livonia Clarenceville

HARRISON

Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard

Livonia Clarenceville

Romulus

Wixom St. Catherine Sienna Academy

Volleyball Outlook:

FAVORITE: Wixom St. Catherine Sienna Academy

NEXT: Harrison

WILDCARD: Livonia Clarenceville

WHY: This is an interesting district with Harrison coming into this district after being in Class A for currently Division One in their final season as a school. The favorite has to be St. Catherine Sienna Academy. St. Catherine Sienna returns a boatload of talent for coach Malia Gabel in the form of Katie Grose and Maryann Alexander whom were two of their three captains from last season. They also have Maddie Karn, Gillian Szwabowski, Bridget Wolter, Lindsay Jankowski, Emma Schlagheck, Payton Porter, Abby Rutila, Jada Nafsto, Haley Gustad, and Christina Ibrahim. The Trojans return some key talent for coach Wendy Merschman in the form of Gina Marzolo, Alex Snage, Ciera Galvin Michelle Marzolo, Krystal Jones, Audrey Owens, Shelby Smith, Madison Jaber, Skylin Shroud, and Destiny Coleman. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard returns the balk of their team back led by Elise Brown and Emily Graham. Harrison meanwhile could threaten in this district for coach Michael Love led by Brooke Hykla, Melinda Hakaj, Kristen Hankins, and Mary Williams. Romulus for coach Stefanie Carter will struggle in this district. This district could be a Harrison/St. Catherine Sienna Academy clash.

District 58 @ Unknown Site as of yet

FERNDALE

HAZEL PARK

Detroit International Academy

Detroit Henry Ford Academy for Creative Studies

Detroit University Prep

Ferndale University

Volleyball Outlook:

FAVORITE: Hazel Park

NEXT: Ferndale:

WILDCARD: No One

WHY: Could this be the perfect chance that either Ferndale or Hazel Park could make some noise and get to the regional??? The Vikings might have the best chance to win their first district since 2015 as they have Faith Aquino, Leighanna Passeno, Olivia Fortress, Madisyn Harris, and Brooke Lynch returning in their final season in the OAA. Ferndale has some players coming back and the history to back them up. No one else really threatens these two teams in this district. I see this district either painted in maroon or in brown and yellow.

District 61 @ Brandon

PONTIAC

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

Brandon

Goodrich

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood

Volleyball Outlook:

FAVORITE: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

NEXT: Brandon

WILDCARD: No One

WHY: This is an interesting district for Pontiac because of the different teams and styles they will face but the big problem facing the Phoenix and the rest of the teams in this district is State Power Pontiac Notre Dame Prep whom to some teams is in this district for a second straight season or longer and is the defending Class B State Champions. The Irish are well coached under coach and Athletic Director Becky Wroubel and very talented. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep is led by Natalie Risi, Olivia Kowalkowski, Elana Schwegman, Riley Cooper, Maria Famularo, Madeline Chinn, Megan Galvin, Morgan Verheyen, and Taylor Raiola. Brandon is the host has a slim shot to pull off a possible upset will feature Sydney Leslie but other than the Blackhawks I don’t see anyone here threatening in this district.

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