Girls Volleyball Preview 2021.

Written Thursday August 5th at 6:45 PM

Here is my early insight when looking at the volleyball season heading into 2021. I added the district blog on here for more added information when it comes to players and detail so here it is.

https://sammy-taormina.blogspot.com/2021/06/girls-volleyball-districts-are-out-for.html

Anyway here is the preview with the rankings and projections.

INSIDE THE OAA VOLLEYBALL TOP TEN.

 

1. Clarkston

2. Stoney Creek

3. Lake Orion

4. Adams

5. Oxford

6. Seaholm

7. Berkley

8. West Bloomfield

9. Groves

10. Bloomfield Hills

 

Blue (Projected Order of Finish)

Ferndale

Ferndale University

Pontiac

Southfield Arts and Tech

Oak Park

EARLY THOUGHTS: The Blue is not as strong of a division as people think. Southfield Arts and Tech and Oak Park did not field teams last season and could struggle this season. The early favorite in the Blue has to be Ferndale for Coach Rachel Burnham. The Eagles toughest competitor in the division is Ferndale University. The Eagles were very young last season for Coach Kenton Maki but he does have some experience coming back. Oak Park should be an interesting team for Coach Daimenne Goodlow this season even though depth is a major concern for them. Southfield Arts and Tech always has talent but it was very unusual for them not to field a team last season. Pontiac should be an interesting team to watch for Coach Kyrie Hoffman.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Emily Foster-Ferndale: No doubt the Blue should be in the hands of Foster. Foster has been the foundation of the program for the last three years. This is not a strong division so she has every chance to shine this season for Ferndale even though their district is going to be much tougher than in years past.

PROJECTED DIVISION CHAMP: Ferndale: The Eagles are the overwhelming favorite over everyone in this division. They have the best player and the best team in this division.

 

White (Projected Order of Finish)

Groves

Berkley

West Bloomfield

Rochester

Avondale

North Farmington

Farmington

Royal Oak

 

EARLY THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be very competitive in 2021. Groves and West Bloomfield have new coaches. Groves named Madison Clouse to take over their program and she has a ton of experience coming back. West Bloomfield named Nancy McKowen to take over their program and she has a pretty strong team. Berkley won a district title last season and has the majority of their team coming back for Coach Eric Wachterhauser. North Farmington has a lot of proven experience coming back for Coach Michael Love. Rochester is always a tough out for anyone and they are well coached under Kirk Gibbs Avondale should be much improved with a ton of proven experience coming back for Coach Andrew Stepp. Royal Oak should be interesting to watch for Coach Ciara Schultz. Farmington has a very young team coming back for Coach Kate Drews. This division should be very interesting to watch this season.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Sawyer Jones-Berkley and Becca Aspey-Groves: I think these are the two players to watch in this division. Jones was huge especially in the postseason for the Bears where they came out of nowhere and shocked Detroit Renaissance in the district finals last season. Jones has a loaded team around her this season. Aspey has had a strong summer for the Falcons whom will have a new coach this season. Groves has a very good team surrounding Aspey. If the Falcons wants to win this division Aspey will have to take them there.

PROJECTED DIVISION CHAMP: Groves: This was a really tough one to pick. There are so many quality programs that are in this division that could have deep postseason runs and also division runs as well but I would have to give a slight edge to Groves in this one but don’t count out Berkley or West Bloomfield. Avondale, Rochester, and North Farmington are darkhorses. The Falcons have a ton of proven experience. This division should be very interesting as mentioned.

 

Red (Projected Order of Finish)

Clarkston

Stoney Creek

Lake Orion

Adams

Oxford

Seaholm

Bloomfield Hills

Troy

Troy Athens

 

EARLY THOUGHTS: This division should live up to its name as one of the toughest divisions in the state. Clarkston went to the Division One Semifinals last season. They are loaded with a new coach in Alison Smith taking over the program. The other proven State powerhouse programs remain the same. They should be very competitive again with Lake Orion being Lake Orion under Coach Tony Scavarda, Stoney Creek being Stoney Creek under Coach Ross Talbot, Adams being Adams under Coach Terry Baugaman, Oxford being Oxford under Coach Brian Kim, and Seaholm being Seaholm under Coaches Jason and Heather Gambone. Bloomfield Hills, Troy, and Troy Athens came back up to the Red from the White. It should be very interesting to see where each team stands out in this nine team juggernaut. The Blackhawks are well coached under Coach Larry Wyatt. The Colts are well coached under Coach Tom Villigant. The Red Hawks are young but well coached under Coach Jeff Williams. As mentioned the Red should be very interesting.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Paige Giethbrock-Clarkston: Giethbrock made a household name for herself in the postseason last year. She should be the focal point for an already loaded Clarkston program. The Wolves have other players who can make some noise as well. I think Smith walked into a beautiful situation with Clarkston and Giethbrock is the center point for a Wolves program that has lofty expectations.

PROJECTED DIVISION CHAMP: Clarkston: There are proven teams in this division but the favorite has to be the Wolves. Clarkston has a ton of experience coming back for Smith whom also coached at Mount Pleasant. There are high expectations as mentioned this season for the Wolves. Things look smooth for them this season.