Here is my latest insight and analysts along with predictions heading into Volleyball districts which start next week.
District 7 at Troy
TROY vs. AVONDALE
TROY ATHENS vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS
TROY/AVONDALE vs. PONTIAC
TROY ATHENS/BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. Waterford Mott
FAVORITE: Bloomfield Hills
NEXT: Troy
DARK-HORSE: Troy Athens
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: When I look at this district on paper, you
have the Colts and the Blackhawks being the top two teams in this district.
Troy has Fran McBride, Alexis Morse, Julia Armstrong, and Athena Sampson back
for coach Tom Vigilant. Bloomfield Hills won the White this season behind a ton
of proven experience for second year coach Larry Wyatt led by Alexa Rousseau along
with Ava Slazinski, Noelle Siwek, Ava Pertucci, and Brooke Bosart. Troy Athens
is my dark horse team to keep an eye on despite having a young group for new
coach Kat Sagaret. Sagaret comes to Troy Athens from North Farmington last season. The Red Hawks played a tough schedule which could help them going forward. Avondale could make some
noise as well. I don’t see Waterford Mott or Pontiac making noise in this
district.
PROJECTION: I see this district being a Colts/Blackhawks
final. Troy got the best of Bloomfield Hills last season but the Blackhawks
have more experience this season. I see this being a classic five gamer but it
will be Bloomfield Hills that heads to the regionals. PICK: BLOOMFIELD HILLS.
District 8 at West Bloomfield
Milford vs. Walled Lake Western
Walled Lake Central vs. Walled Lake Northern
Milford/Walled Lake Western vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD
Walled Lake Central/Walled Lake Northern vs. Lakeland
FAVORITE: West Bloomfield
NEXT: Walled Lake Northern
DARK-HORSE: Lakeland
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This could be the district that the Lakers
have been waiting for. They are not in a district with Troy or Bloomfield Hills as they were sent west by the MHSAA in June to be with the Walled Lake and Huron Valley schools. West
Bloomfield is loaded with talent led by Lauren King, Kate Horvath, and Grace
Allread for Coach Lauren DeLuyck-Forbes. The Lakers also played in the Red this season which should help their chances at winning this district against basically the Lakes Valley Conference. Walled Lake Northern looks to be West Bloomfield's top challenger under first year coach A’Jhane Smith. Smith took over a Knights team that went to the regionals last season. They have a
ton of experience back led by Delia Bechmann, Lauren Scott, Elise Biron, and
Isabella Cooper. Lakeland could be a dark horse with the talent they have
returning for coach Brian Theut in Morgan Schmidt, Izzy Sawyer, Angelia
Salmeto, Sarah Daniel, Rachel Zurek, and Alyssa Younker. Walled Lake Central could
be another dark-horse to watch led by Treasure Rutherford along with Ellia
Sechrist and Shelby Dundas for coach Sarah Lindstrom’s team. The Vikings also
have two wins over Walled Lake Northern this season. Walled Lake Western and
Milford have been middle of the pack teams in the Lakes Valley Conference but
you can’t underestimate them either.
PROJECTION: This is the perfect district for the Lakers. I
see this district being a West Bloomfield vs Walled Lake Northern or Lakeland
district final. I like the Lakers coming out of this district because of King
and home court. PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD.
District 6 at Rochester
STONEY CREEK vs. Utica Eisenhower
ROCHESTER vs. Romeo
STONEY CREEK/Utica Eisenhower vs. ADAMS
FAVORITE: Stoney Creek
NEXT: Utica Eisenhower
DARK-HORSE: Romeo
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This district looks to be very interesting
at Rochester High School. Stoney Creek is very experienced and talented led by
Kate Stration, Kate Yatooma, Ainsley Guse, Sydney Tomlak, and Ashley Gajzik for
Coach Ross Talbott who has a loaded team this season. Utica Eisenhower will be
an interesting team to keep an eye on as coach Caitlin LaPratt’s team is in the
thick of the Macomb Area Conference Red race. The Eagles also have some talent led by
Sydney Palazzolo, Meghan Dombrowski, and Kira Buza. Rochester Adams is a dark
horse team to keep an eye on in coach Terry Baugaman’s first season. The
Highlanders are in the midst of a transition but the future looks bright led by
Emanuella Gjokaj, Lilyanna Metzger, Alexis Wolas, Kennedy Jones, Lara
Sebastian, and Amber Morris. Romeo has Salina Milina and Natalie Nowak for
Coach Stacey Williams. Rochester is an improved bunch for second year coach
Kirk Gibbs and home court is very important as well.
PROJECTION: This district will be interesting to keep an eye
on but at the end of the day the Cougars will be on a mission to get to Battle
Creek. PICK: STONEY CREEK.
District 5 at Lake Orion
CLARKSTON vs. LAKE ORION
OXFORD vs. Waterford Kettering
CLARKSTON/LAKE ORION vs. Holly
FAVORITE: Clarkston
NEXT: Lake Orion
DARK-HORSE: Oxford
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: The Wolves have had a resurgent season after two rough years. Clarkston won the Red this season. They are loaded with talent and experience led by
Claire Nowicki. Jordan Newblatt, Hannah Cady, Summer Jidas, Elizabeth Adams,
and Sydney Hasenfratz for coach Kelly Pinner The Wolves also had to overcome the season ending injury
to Ali Watlington which hasn’t really derailed them at all. Lake Orion has been a pure Jekyll
and Hyde team this year. The Dragons lost a ton of experience from last season's State Championship team. They have experienced some growing pains this season. Lake Orion has the talent to be very competitive in this district with returners Kendall Robertson, Regan
Goeke, Courtney Andras, and Kylie Andras. They have had very talented players grow in the process with Nina
Horning, Lauren Staruch, and Taylor Buckiewicz for Coach Tony Scarvada. Oxford has been a Jekyll and
Hyde team as well this season for Coach Brian Kim. The Wildcats looked good
early in the year but they have struggled as of late especially in the Red. Holly should be competitive after winning the Flint Metro League Stripes crown. The Bronchos have emerging talents in Delaney Jenkinson, Nicole Jewell, and Sydney Meszlier for coach Deanna Maher. Waterford Kettering will have some struggles in this district.
PROJECTION: I can’t trust the Dragons in this district, they
have been too inconsistent. Until otherwise this district will be in blue and
gold in favor of the Wolves. PICK: CLARKSTON.
District 27 at Warren Fitzgerald
BERKLEY vs. OAK PARK
Warren Fitzgerald vs. Warren Mott
BERKLEY/OAK PARK vs. Detroit Renaissance
FAVORITE: Detroit Renaissance
NEXT: Warren Fitzgerald
DARK-HORSE: Berkley
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is an interesting district when you
look at the teams that are in this district from Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties. Detroit Renaissance and Warren Fitzgerald look to have solid
teams heading into the district but keep an eye on the Bears, they are a dark horse to watch. Berkley has Ava Beard and
Sophia Egnotovich for Coach Chantelle Korson. The Phoenix could be a team to
watch along with the Spartans as mentioned. Warren Mott could be another team
to keep an eye on as well. Oak Park will have a tough time in this district.
PROJECTION: This is not a strong district but it’s anyone’s
to take. I have a feeling that this could be the year of the Bears to move on
and shock some people. PICK: BERKLEY.
District 26 at Birmingham Marian
SEAHOLM vs. ROYAL OAK
GROVES vs. SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
SEAHOLM/ROYAL OAK vs. Birmingham Marian
FAVORITE: Birmingham Marian
NEXT: Seaholm
DARK-HORSE: Southfield Arts and Tech
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This looks to be a very interesting
district to keep an eye on. Birmingham Marian has home court and has had a good
season. The Mustangs are loaded with talent for second year coach Mayssa Cook
in Christina Audette, Ava Brizard, Tatum Casper, and Sarah Sylvester. Seaholm should be Birmingham Marian's toughest challenger in this district. The Maples have had a good season in the White and they are experienced led by Maddy Ligton, Audrey Brown, Anna McLeod, Caitlin Geraghty and
Brooke Geraghty for coaches Jason and Heather Gambone. Groves has Ellie Ruprich whom has had a strong season. What has helped the Falcons is that they competed in the Red this year for second year coach Jessica Prepolec. Royal Oak
has a young team for Coach Ciara Schultz. The Ravens have some talent back led by Emma
Brewster, Jacie Walden, and Delila Miller. Southfield Arts and Tech should be another
team to watch in this district with the hard work and "grit" they had this season. The Warriors are led by M’Kenna Albert, Danielle Burns,
Natasha Shelton, Brooke Miller, Tamira Richey, Amere Owens, and Michelle Bonner
for Coach Alicia Love. If everything goes right this should be a competitive
district.
PROJECTION: This could be an interesting district. I see the
Falcons getting to the district final to likely meet Birmingham Marian but the
Maples could give the Mustangs problems in the semifinal matchup. Too much
experience will be the difference makers. PICK: BIRMINGHAM MARIAN.
District 25 at Farmington
Farmington Hills Mercy vs. Livonia Stevenson
FARMINGTON vs. Redford Thurston
Farmington Hills Mercy/Livonia Stevenson vs. NORTH FARMINGTON
FAVORITE: Farmington Hills Mercy
NEXT: Farmington
DARK-HORSE: North Farmington
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is a tough district for any team not
name Farmington Hills Mercy. The Catholic League champion Marlins are loaded for Coach Loretta Vogel.
Farmington Hills Mercy is also led by Jessica Mruzik along with Elle Tisko,
Charli Atiemo, Kaylin Collins, Julia Bishop, Leah LaFontaine, Amina Robinson, Genevive Sale, Madison Melicki, and Kayla Shields. The Marlins
have been to the Division One Semifinals in the last two seasons but have fallen short each time they been there. North
Farmington has some talent for first year coach Michael Love but they have really under performed this season. Farmington has been a surprise for coach Kate Drews
as they are led by Sydney Eggleton, Rachel Krieske, and Meghan Burba. Livonia
Stevenson and Redford Thurston looks to be outmatched in this district.
PROJECTION: The Marlins are on a mission, enough said. PICK:
FARMINGTON HILLS MERCY.
District 57 at Detroit Henry Ford
Detroit Communication Media Arts vs. Ferndale University
Detroit Cornerstone vs. FERNDALE
Detroit Communication Media Arts/Ferndale University vs.
Detroit Old Redford
Detroit Cornerstone/FERNDALE vs. Detroit Henry Ford
FAVORITE: Ferndale
NEXT: Detroit Communication Media Arts
DARK-HORSE: Detroit Henry Ford
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: The Eagles had a special season last year
winning the district crown for the first time since 2014. Ferndale has improved
each season and won the Blue this season. The Eagles are loaded with proven
experience that is led by Emily Foster for Coach Stella Johnstone although
there could be some challengers in Detroit Communication Media Arts and Detroit
Henry Ford. It will be interesting to see what happens in this district.
PROJECTION: This is not a strong district but there are some
teams that could give the Eagles trouble but at the end of the day this is
Ferndale’s district to lose. PICK: FERNDALE.
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