Volleyball District Preview.

Written Tuesday October 29th at 4:00 PM

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.