Volleyball Preview
Written Wednesday August 14th at 10:35 AM
These are the early projections for volleyball heading into the 2024 season.
Volleyball District Preview
https://saginawbay4650.blogspot.com/2024/06/volleyball-districts-are-out-2024.html
AROUND THE OAA TOP TEN TEAMS.
1. Clarkston
2. Adams
3. Lake Orion
4. Bloomfield Hills
5. Stoney Creek
6. Troy
7. Rochester
8. Troy Athens
9. Oxford
10. Groves
RED
Clarkston- The Wolves are loaded with proven talent. They have that experience getting to the Final Four under Coach Alison Smith. The key for Clarkston this season is not to get complacent, if they do then trouble could loom. The Wolves have had a lot of proven success but can they sustain is the key going forward.
Adams- The Highlanders were around 500 last season with a very young team. Expectations are high this season. They are a veteran heavy team and have a new coach in Nancy McKowen taking over the program. McKowen has been around Oakland County and brings a boatload of experience with her. She will look to keep the tradition alive at Adams. The Highlanders are a sleeper to watch in the State.
Lake Orion- The Dragons have been very competitive for years under Coach Tony Scavarda and they should be again this season. Lake Orion has the proven talent to make some noise in what should be a very tough division and they have a tough district as well. The Dragons could be a sleeper if they stay healthy.
Bloomfield Hills- The Blackhawks have had a ton of success as of late under Coach Jacob Paige. Bloomfield Hills expects to be in the mix in the Red this season with the proven talent he had coming back. The Blackhawks could also be a team that has a deep postseason run if things go right this season.
Stoney Creek- It was un Cougar like for Stoney Creek to struggle like they did last season but Coach Ross Talbot’s program has always been defined with what they do in the postseason. The Cougars should be better this season with program strength in the pipeline. Last season was a year to forget for Stoney Creek fans but this season they should be much better.
Troy- The Colts were up and down last season but they did have some big wins in the Red when they knocked off Lake Orion last season. Troy was your perfect Jekyll and Hyde team as mentioned this is something Coach Tom Viglant wants to get corrected heading into the season. The Colts are a mystery team to figure out so it will be very interesting to see what happens.
Rochester- The Falcons were an up and down team last season under legendary Coach William Gibbs. Rochester has had a strong summer and they have experienced what life in the Red brings. The Falcons should be a team to watch this season because of the experience and they could be a sleeper if things go right.
West Bloomfield- The Lakers were around 500 last season. They had a rough start but picked it up in the middle of the season but struggled a bit during the final stretches last season. Coach Elizabeth Ferguson should have her hands full moving up to the Red but some of the players West Bloomfield has has experienced what life in the Red is so that should help heading into a new division this season.
Seaholm- The Maples had a very challenging transition period under Coach Derrick Williams last season. Now it’s Williams second year and he’ll look to get Seaholm back on track this season. It will be very interesting to see how the Maples do this season with life in the Red.
WHITE
Troy Athens- The Red Hawks will look to take the next step heading into this season. Troy Athens should be a team that could make some noise in the White and maybe in the postseason this season. It has been a process for Coach Mary Kate Zinn with the Red Hawks but this could be the year that championship hardware might be in their future, we’ll see what happens.
Oxford- It was a season to forget last season for the Wildcats being under 500 having a new coach and playing in the always tough Red. Looking for a fresh start in a new division, Coach Noelle Zebb will look to have a bounce back season. Oxford should be in the thick of the White this season with the experienced learned from the rough goes last season. The Wildcats should be a player in this White this season.
Groves- The Falcons had a tough season record wise but to their defense they did play a very tough schedule. Coach Madison Clouse will look to get Groves back on track after a really rough year last season. The Falcons are a potential dark horse candidate in the White this season.
North Farmington- The Raiders were a team that was around 500 last season. They had some good wins and some really tough losses. North Farmington has been up and down as of late for Coach Michael Love and will look to have a bounce back season. The Raiders should be in the conversation as a possible darkhorse in the White.
Avondale- The Yellow Jackets had an off season last season. Coach Andrew Steff will look to get Avondale back on track. They should have some experience coming back which always helps. Consistency will be key for the Yellow Jackets heading into this season.
Berkley- It was a really rough season for the Bears adjusting to a new coach in Dakota Stanchuk last season. The Bears had a lot of young players after getting to the State Quarterfinals two years ago. Berkley should be much improved under Stanchuk but can it turn into results remains to be season
Royal Oak- The Ravens really struggled last season for Coach Ciara Schultz. Royal Oak was really young and they lost a ton of close games last season. They should be better after having a really rough season. The Ravens could be a team to watch.
Farmington- It was a struggle for the Falcons last season. Farmington has a new coach in Dan Englehardt taking over the program. The Falcons will be young this season and there has to be a transition period that has to happen during the season. Farmington will be going through that period.
BLUE
Ferndale- The Eagles have always been a consistent power and will be again this season. Ferndale has a new coach as Andrea Phillips takes over the program. The Eagles will have athletes and should be in the conversation. There will be a transition period and it has to happen during the season.
Ferndale University- It was a really odd year for the Eagles and Coach Kenton Maki. The Eagles were not consistent which showed in their record last season. Ferndale University is expected to make a big jump this season. The Eagles could be a team to watch.
Southfield Arts and Tech- The Warriors will have a new coach taking over the program in Rachel Watson. Watson will be tasked to send Southfield Arts and Tech to the next level this season. The Warriors have had proven athletes so it will be very interesting to see how the transition period goes for Southfield Arts and Tech this season.
Harper Woods- It was a rough year for the Pioneers who struggled late in the year last season. Harper Woods should be improved despite the struggles. If the Pioneers get some consistency after last season’s rough patch then Coach Lydia Doty-Faulk can turn things around and better results will come for Harper Woods.
Oak Park- The Knights were a Jekyll and Hyde team last season. Oak Park started off strong but struggled mid season and then got hot to close the season. Consistency will be the key for Coach Daimienne Goodlow if the Knights want to be competitive this season.
Pontiac- The Phoenix were an up and down team last season. Pontiac will look to have a better season and they have a new coach taking over at Pontiac. There will be a transition period but it will have to happen during the season.