Volleyball District Thoughts and Projections.

Written Friday October 15th at 11:30 AM

Updated Saturday October 30th at 10:00 AM

These are the district matchups that were released. I will also post the districts when they were announced here for reference if you want to go more deeper into the districts.

Anyway here they are.

Here is the district insight from June.

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

District 5 at Lakeland

 

Walled Lake Northern vs. Holly

Waterford Kettering vs. CLARKSTON

Walled Lake Northern/Holly vs. Lakeland

 

THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be an interesting and very competitive district on Bogie Lake Road in White Lake. Clarkston was the early favorite back in June and has had an outstanding season thus far. Lakeland just won the Lakes Valley Conference and has home court. They should be the Wolves toughest challenger in the district. The Eagles got a really tough draw. They have the winner of Holly and Walled Lake Northern in the district semifinals. The Bronchos/Knights matchup should be a fun one in the pre-district. This should be a very competitive district as mentioned.

 

PREDICTION: I think many experts are looking at a possible Clarkston/Lakeland district final which looks possible but Walled Lake Northern or Holly might have other plans. I think the Knights will beat Holly in the pre-district in five sets. It would set up a battle of Bogie Lake Road rematch with arch rival Lakeland. The Eagles beat the Knights in the regular season. I think this will be a four or five set thriller however I think Lakeland will pull this out because of home court. Clarkston should have no problem with Waterford Kettering in the district semifinal. This would set up the Wolves vs the Eagles in the district finals. Clarkston has a boatload of proven experience but Lakeland has played against some of the best as well. The Wolves inability to finish games has me very concerned. They are 3-1 in five set matches in league. Sometimes going to the brink is very dangerous and if they get the Eagles on their home court. It's hard for me to trust Clarkston if they can get by this round but I'll give it to them but just slightly. PICK: CLARKSTON.

 

District 6 at West Bloomfield

 

Walled Lake Western vs. WEST BLOOMFIELD

Walled Lake Central vs. Novi

Walled Lake Western/WEST BLOOMFIELD vs. NORTH FARMINGTON

 

THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be an interesting district on the blacktop at West Bloomfield. Novi is well Novi. They are having a very good season and look primed to have another deep postseason run. North Farmington just won the White and have had a strong season. West Bloomfield is going through a transition period. Walled Lake Western and Walled Lake Central have surprisingly struggled this season.

 

PREDICTION: I see West Bloomfield having no problem with Walled Lake Western in the pre-district. Novi should have no problem with Walled Lake Central. The matchup of the day should be the Lakers and the Raiders in the district semifinals. North Farmington won over West Bloomfield in their last matchup. I think it will be close again but I see an upset here with the Lakers beating the Raiders and clash with the Wildcats in the district finals. Novi should overwhelm this district with ease and host their regional which should be the toughest regional in the state if things go right. PICK: NOVI

 

District 7 at Birmingham Marian

 

Farmington Hills Mercy vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Birmingham Marian vs. FARMINGTON

Farmington Hills Mercy/BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. SEAHOLM

 

THOUGHTS: This are a ton of proven teams in what should be a very competitive district on Lahser and 14 Mile in Birmingham. Birmingham Marian have been very dominant as they look to defend their Division One State title from last season. Farmington Hills Mercy has had classic battles with the Mustangs in the Catholic League and in the postseason. It is very unusual to see these two Catholic League rivals in the same district. The Marlins have been really solid against everyone not named Birmingham Marian this season. Bloomfield Hills has been really improved. They look to be a sleeper. Seaholm is in the same boat as the Blackhawks likely playing spoiler in this district. Farmington has to come in playing with nothing to lose.

 

PREDICTION: Everyone is saying that Farmington Hills Mercy/Birmingham Marian part three is going to happen. I don’t think that will be the case. I think the Marlins are on upset alert. Birmingham Seaholm and Bloomfield Hills played a classic five game set at Bloomfield Hills with the Maples winning that one on the road. I expect another five game set with those two teams. Whoever wins that match has Farmington Hills Mercy. I really haven’t been impressed with the Marlins. They look primed to be upset. Birmingham Marian should have no problem with Farmington in the district semifinals. I think at the end of the day whoever comes out on the other side a well-rested Mustangs awaits. They should move onto the regionals. Do I think Birmingham Marian is all invincible??? no. I think they can be had in the regionals but not in this district. PICK: BIRMINGHAM MARIAN.

 

District 8 at Oxford

 

OXFORD vs. ADAMS

AVONDALE vs. PONTIAC

OXFORD/ADAMS vs. LAKE ORION

AVONDALE/PONTIAC vs. Waterford Mott

 

THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district at Oxford. Lake Orion should be the favorite in this district. The Dragons have looked very good as of late which included a Red crown. Oxford has had a really good season despite the ups and downs. Adams has had a good season as well despite the ups and downs. Avondale has had an up and down season while Pontiac and Waterford Mott has had very tough seasons. This district has the three toughest teams on the early side while you’re weakest on the late side. It should be interesting to watch.

 

PREDICTION: The top of the district is strong heavy while the bottom of the district is not so much. Avondale should beat Pontiac and Waterford Mott in the pre-district and district semifinals to get to the district finals. The top of the district is very interesting. The Wildcats and Highlanders played at Oxford with Adams winning in four sets over Oxford. I think the Wildcats get a measure of revenge and wins in five sets setting up a rivalry matchup with Lake Orion in the district semifinals. The Dragons won in three sets over Oxford. I think Lake Orion should get by the Wildcats but it should be a four or five set thriller. The Dragons should meet the Yellow Jackets in the district finals with Lake Orion moving onto the regionals. PICK: LAKE ORION.

 

District 27 at Detroit Renaissance

 

OAK PARK vs. BERKLEY

Detroit Renaissance vs. Warren Fitzgerald

OAK PARK/BERKLEY vs. Detroit Mumford

Detroit Renaissance/Warren Fitzgerald vs. SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

 

THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be an really interesting district in Detroit. Really no one has been impressive besides Berkley and Detroit Renaissance. Oak Park, Southfield Arts and Tech, and Detroit Mumford have had really rough seasons. Warren Fitzgerald looks to be a wildcard in this district. The rest of the teams have had struggling years this season.

 

PREDICTION: This is really setting up to be a rematch of last season’s district finals between Berkley and Detroit Renaissance. I don’t really see anyone beating the top two teams. Warren Fitzgerald could give Detroit Renaissance fits in the district semifinals. It was the Bears that shocked the Phoenix in four games to get to the regional. I wrote in the Volleyball Storylines that Berkley has a great chance to get to the State Quarterfinals. I think they get by Detroit Renaissance and win their district for a second straight year. PICK: BERKLEY.

 

District 29 at Stoney Creek

 

Port Huron vs. Utica Eisenhower

STONEY CREEK vs. Port Huron Northern

Port Huron/Utica Eisenhower vs. Romeo

STONEY CREEK/Port Huron Northern vs. ROCHESTER

 

THOUGHTS: This has been a district where there have been a ton of high expectations on everyone but not everyone has seem to meet them. Stoney Creek has really had an unusually rough season which is un-Cougar like. They won the city championship over Adams on their home court which hopefully can turn their fortunes. Rochester has had a good season though but they lost their chance to win the White to North Farmington. Utica Eisenhower has struggled a little bit. Romeo has struggled as well. Port Huron Northern has also struggled. Port Huron has been up and down a little bit despite having an over 500 record. The Eagles look to be the favorite to win this district but the Cougars, Bulldogs, Falcons, and Big Reds should have strong says as well. This looks to be a very competitive district with everyone’s recent struggles.

 

PREDICTION: This looks to be a very competitive district but also this is the district where you could see some upsets. I think Port Huron and Utica Eisenhower could go five sets and don’t be surprised if the Big Reds upset the Eagles. Stoney Creek should have no problem with Port Huron Northern in the other pre-district. Port Huron and Romeo should be a very interesting matchup. I think the Big Reds experience should be the difference. Stoney Creek and Rochester should be a very interesting district semifinal with these two neighborhood rivals. The Cougars and Falcons went five sets the last time these two met. I expect they would do so again. I’m seeing a Port Huron/Stoney Creek district final and somehow, someway the Cougars win in five over the Big Reds because of home court and moves to the regional. PICK: STONEY CREEK.

 

District 30 at Troy Athens

 

GROVES vs. TROY

ROYAL OAK vs. TROY ATHENS

GROVES/TROY vs. Warren Mott

 

THOUGHTS: When looking at this district it really doesn’t look as strong as what it appears but it has a chance to be really competitive. Troy is the early favorite because of experience. Troy Athens has also had the same experience with life in the Red and also program strength is on the rise there. Groves has gone through a transition period with a new coach but questions remain. Royal Oak has had some moments of greatness. Warren Mott has really struggled all season long.

 

PREDICTION: Troy has an interesting path to get to the district finals. I think that match with Groves has upset written all over it but the Colts should survive that game and have no problem with Warren Mott in the district semifinals. Troy Athens should have no problem with Royal Oak in their district semifinal matchup setting up a battle of Troy district final. The Colts and Red Hawks met in a regular season matchup at Troy Athens with Troy winning in three sets. I see this trend continuing as the Colts move onto the regionals. PICK: TROY.

 

District 57 at Detroit Pershing

 

FERNDALE UNIVERSITY vs. Hazel Park

Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs. Detroit Pershing

FERNDALE UNIVERSITY/Hazel Park vs. FERNDALE

 

THOUGHTS: When looking inside this district there is one team that stands out and that’s Birmingham Detroit Country Day. The Yellow Jackets have been battle tested and has played numerous Division One schools very tough and has even beaten some of them. If the MPR was in for volleyball it’s no question who would have the top seed in this district Ferndale has been up and down all season long. Ferndale University, Hazel Park, and Detroit Pershing have had very rough seasons.

 

PREDICTION: I think Birmingham Detroit Country Day should cruse into the district finals and meet Ferndale. I think it will be Eagles vs Eagles in the district semifinals with Ferndale moving on to play Birmingham Detroit Country Day. The Eagles are well known for district titles but not this year. PICK: BIRMINGHAM DETROIT COUNTRY DAY.