Volleyball Districts are Out 2019.

Written Thursday June 13th at 9:50 AM

Here are my insight and analysis for the Volleyball districts that were released yesterday.

This blog article will be updated.

District 5 @ Lake Orion

LAKE ORION

CLARKSTON

OXFORD

Holly

Waterford Kettering

FAVORITE: Clarkston

NEXT: Lake Orion

WILDCARD'S: Oxford, Holly

INSIGHT: This district looks to be a Lake Orion/Clarkston rematch looming on paper but there are other teams that could deny that possible rematch that are more than capable in this district. The Dragons are the defending Division One State Champs however they lost ten seniors from last season's team. Lake Orion will be vastly different heading into this season. They should be very competitive in the Red, this district, and they have home court. The Dragons have Kendall Robertson, Reagan Goeke returning however they'll need several unproven players to step up for coach Tony Scavarda. Clarkston has the majority of their team returning in Clare Nowicki, Jordan Newblatt, Abby Tolmie, Hannah Cady, Skylar Jidas, Ali Watlington, among others for coach Kelly Pinner. Oxford should be a team to watch under third year coach Brian Kim. Holly is an interesting team to keep an eye on this season. The Bronchos are well coached and have a ton of experience back. Waterford Kettering is expected to struggle in this district. Right now this district as mentioned will either be the Dragons or Wolves to lose.

District 6 @ Rochester

ROCHESTER

ADAMS

STONEY CREEK

Romeo

Utica Eisenhower

FAVORITE: Stoney Creek

NEXT: Romeo

WILDCARD: Adams

INSIGHT: This is an interesting district when you look at these teams in Rochester. The favorite is Stoney Creek and they should be for good reason. Cougars coach Ross Talbott has made this program into a State power and they have a ton of talent returning led by Sydney Tomlak, Kate Stration, and Ainsley Guse. Adams has experience coming back in Alexis Wolas, Lara Sebestian, Kennedy Jones, Audrey Thedford, Jacoby Flynn, Emanuela Gjokaj, Maxine Koos, Amber Morris, Rea Marfatia, and Maddie Knott. returning for new coach Terry Baughman. Rochester should be improved under second year coach Kirk Gibbs and they have home court. Romeo has a lot back for coach Stacey Williams led by Salina Milana and Natalie Nowak. Utica Eisenhower lost a ton of talent last season but they are well coach under coach Caitlyn LaPratt. It should be interesting to see who comes out of this district.

District 7 @ Troy

TROY

TROY ATHENS

AVONDALE

PONTIAC

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Waterford Mott

FAVORITE: Troy

NEXT: Bloomfield Hills

WILDCARD: Troy Athens

INSIGHT: This should be an interesting district setting up especially between Bloomfield Hills and Troy. The Blackhawks moved down to the White have Alexa Rousseau along with Ava Pertuchi returning for coach Larry Wyatt. The Colts host the district have Fran McBride, Alexis Morse, and Athena Sampson back for coach Tom Vigilant. Waterford Mott and Pontiac could have long seasons. Avondale could be a team to keep an eye on not only in this district but in the White as well. Troy Athens could spoil someone’s season with the talent they have back for new coach Katherine Sagaert (Hall). This district looks to be a two team race.

District 8 @ West Bloomfield

WEST BLOOMFIELD

Lakeland

Milford

Walled Lake Northern

Walled Lake Central

Walled Lake Western

FAVORITE: West Bloomfield

NEXT: Lakeland

WILDCARD'S: Walled Lake Western, Walled Lake Northern

INSIGHT: This should be an interesting district with the Lakers being an honorary member of the Lakes Valley Conference. Walled Lake Northern won a district title last season but could be different this season. The Lakers have experience back in Laura King, Grace Allread, and Delaney Lambert back for coach Lauren DeLuyck-Forbes to go along with the district being on their home court. The Knights also have experience back but they will have a new coach as Terry Baughman left for Adams. Lakeland should be a player along with Walled Lake Central and Walled Lake Western but right now this district is either West Bloomfield’s to lose.

District 25 @ Farmington

FARMINGTON

NORTH FARMINGTON

Farmington Hills Mercy

Livonia Stevenson

Redford Thurston

FAVORITE: Farmington Hills Mercy

NEXT: North Farmington

WILDCARD: Livonia Stevenson

INSIGHT: This district could either be competitive or be a blowout. Farmington Hills Mercy has a ton of talent returning including a future Miss Volleyball candidate in Jessica Mruzik. Also Julia Bishop, Kayla Shields, Elle Tisko, Charli Atiemo, and Kaylin Collins also returns for coach Loretta Vogel. North Farmington has experience back but they made a coaching change as Michael Love takes over for Kat Hall. Love comes from Harrison and brings a ton of experience with him. Livonia Stevenson should be improved. Farmington will be in an interesting spot as they will have do some rebuilding for coach Kate Drews. Redford Thurston will struggle in this district. As mentioned this district is the Marlins to lose.

District 26 @ Birmingham Marian

GROVES

SEAHOLM

ROYAL OAK

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

Birmingham Marian

FAVORITE: Birmingham Marian

NEXT: Groves

WILDCARD’S: Seaholm, Southfield Arts and Tech

INSIGHT: This is an interesting district when you look at the teams that are here on Lahser Road between 14 and 13 Mile Roads, that's where the small gym of Birmingham Marian resides. The Mustangs are clearly built for the future when you look at players like Sarah Sylvester and Tatum Casper along with Christine Audette returning for second year coach Mayssa Cook. Groves looks to be Birmingham Marian’s toughest challenger as Ellie Ruprich returns for second year coach Jessica Prepolec. The Falcons moved to the Red which also helps things. Seaholm could be the other darkhorse team even though they moved down to the White. Seaholm should be improved for coaches Jason and Heather Gambone and has Maddy Ligon back as well. Southfield Arts and Tech should be a darkhorse for coach Alicia Love. Royal Oak has a new coach in Ciara Schultz and it will take her some time to get her program into the fold. It could be a struggle for the Ravens. This district is the Mustangs to lose.

District 27 @ Warren Fitzgerald

BERKLEY

OAK PARK

Warren Fitzgerald

Detroit Renaissance

Warren Mott

FAVORITE: Detroit Renaissance

NEXT: Warren Fitzgerald

WILDCARD: Berkley

INSIGHT: This should be an interesting district when looking at the teams that are here in this three county Metro Detroit district. Detroit Renaissance has been dominant not only in this district but also in their league the Detroit Public School League as well. The Phoenix won their district last season and thus is deemed as the early favorite. Warren Fitzgerald comes into this district after having a tough year last season along with something to prove. The Spartans should be improved this season. They will have home court in this district with all of these coming to the east side of Nine Mile Road. Berkley has a ton to prove after having a disappointing season last year. The Bears will look to turn things around and they have a ton of experience returning which helps. Oak Park could struggle again this upcoming season. Warren Mott is very young and could have some struggles again this year. When looking at this district as mentioned this district should be interesting.

District 57 @ ???

FERNDALE

Ferndale University

Detroit Old Redford

Detroit Communication Media Arts

Detroit Cornerstone

Detroit Henry Ford

FAVORITE: Ferndale

NEXT: Detroit Communication Media Arts

WILDCARD: Detroit Henry Ford

INSIGHT: This looks to be an interesting district when you look at the teams. The early favorite is Ferndale with who they have back for second year coach Stella Johnstone. The Eagles got a big boost by winning the district at Hazel Park last season which gave hope to a program that had struggled with coaching stability prior to her arrival. Johnstone should have a ton of proven talent returning led by Emily Foster among others. Detroit Communication Media Arts looks to be Ferndale’s top challenger along with Detroit Henry Ford. Detroit Communication Media Arts won their district last season but fell in the regional semifinals. Detroit Communication Media Arts beat Detroit Henry Ford in the district semifinals to win that district. This will be an interesting district as mentioned but three teams have a shot of winning this district.

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